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July 26, 2006
Statement of Congressman Pete Stark
In Opposition to Undermining the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty
MR. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R.5682, the United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act.
Were India to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), the primary international tool for limiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons, I would gladly support the agreement. My district is home to a large Indian-American population, whose opinions I value and whose support I have long enjoyed. I regret having to disagree with many of them today.
But I am – and have always been – an ardent proponent of nuclear nonproliferation. I believe that the fewer nuclear weapons that exist in the world, the better. Unfortunately, America’s unilateral agreement will encourage an arms race on the Indian subcontinent, promote weak export controls around the world, and undermine the NPT.
This week, it was reveled that Pakistan is constructing a new plutonium-production reactor that will massively increase its bomb-making capacity. Rather than adding fuel to the fire by offering India a deal that will allow and encourage it to also increase weapons production, the United States should work to end the production of all fissile material in South Asia.
A unilateral agreement with India could also undermine the cohesiveness of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. If the United States exempts India from nuclear nonproliferation controls, China would likely feel it appropriate to make a similar agreement and export civilian nuclear technology to Iran or North Korea.
I am aware that as part of the agreement, India has opted to allow some of its reactors to be inspected. This concession, however, is largely symbolic. The reactors that will continue to be off limits could make more plutonium for weapons than India will ever need. Furthermore, the precedent of working outside the NPT is dangerous. If India can secure the benefits of NPT membership without adhering to the treaty’s limitations, other countries will have little incentive to remain in the NPT.
I urge my colleagues to stand up for non-proliferation and join me in voting no.
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