On 10 October 2008, in Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee sign the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the U.S.–India 123 Agreement), opening civil nuclear trade after decades of restrictions.

The agreement follows U.S. Congressional approvals and the NSG decision; it provides for civil fuel and technology transfers, IAEA safeguards and separation of India’s civil/military programmes. The signature formalises the bilateral instruments of the nuclear deal.

It entered into force on 6 December 2008 (TIAS 08-1206). It remains the pivot of the Indo-American civil nuclear partnership.

The official text is on state.gov / TIAS.

For non-proliferation and energy, 10 October 2008 marks the Washington signature.

The document is available on state.gov.

The 123 Agreement of 10 October 2008 remains the milestone of U.S.–India civil nuclear cooperation.

Image: Washington / nuclear; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement. Treaty text: U.S. State Department — 123 Agreement.