To lift the nuclear test sanctions against India.

September 14, 2001

Mr. LANTOS (for himself, Mr. ACKERMAN, and Mr. MCDERMOTT) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

To lift the nuclear test sanctions against India.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `U.S.-India Security Cooperation Act of 2001'.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Act is to lift sanctions imposed upon India as a result of its nuclear tests of May 11 and 13, 1998, in order to foster closer security, nonproliferation, and political relationships with India.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

(a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds as follows:

(1) India demonstrated that it had a nuclear capability when it tested a nuclear explosive device in 1974, but exercised remarkable restraint for 24 years in foregoing the development and deployment of a nuclear arsenal of warheads.

(2) India has fought a war with the People's Republic of China, which has its own arsenal of tactical and intercontinental-range nuclear arms, over territory which is still in dispute.

(3) Pakistan has been engaged in long-standing and continuing cooperation with the People's Republic of China on the development of weapons of mass destruction, including the purchase of nuclear-capable missiles and missile production technology and possibly nuclear warhead design information, and both countries have recently been sanctioned by the United States Government for continuing missile cooperation.

(4) India has announced that it would voluntarily observe a moratorium on further nuclear tests.

(5) The Government of India has also demonstrated a strong commitment to prohibit the export of equipment and technology that could pose a risk of increasing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, either in the region or world-wide.

(6) India has proven itself to be a stable democracy, with respect for the rule of law, free speech and free press, respect for human rights, and freedom of religion.

(7) India can be a vital strategic partner of the United States on a broad range of common political and security interests.

(8) The United States has established a dialogue with India on stronger export controls on goods, equipment, and technology that could be used in the development of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.

(9) The United States and India have also established joint working groups to counter terrorism and drug trafficking in the region.

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that the sanctions against India are ineffective and counter-productive to both the nonproliferation goals of the United States and the national interests of the United States. It is further the sense of the Congress that the United States should immediately expand its nonproliferation, counterterrorism, counter-drug trafficking, and security cooperation activities with India at all levels.

SEC. 4. LIFTING OF NUCLEAR TEST SANCTIONS AGAINST INDIA.

Section 102(b)(1)(B)(ii) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2799aa-1(b)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended by inserting `after May 13, 1998' after `device'.

END