US Inc stands up in support of Indo-US nuclear deal

The first meeting of the Coalition is slated to be held before the Congress returns from recesses later this month. Ron Somers, president of the US India Business Council, said the American industry was anxious to ensure implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal signed in July 2005 and that it was ratified.

‘‘US industry sees this as much more than the commercial opportunity relating to energy security,’’ Somers said. The US industry, according to him, views the civilian nuclear cooperation with India as an expression of trust, which will result in the ‘alignment’ of two great democracies for the 21st Century.

Somers added that the Coalition would serve as the umbrella organisation to help coordinate the efforts of like-minded parties who strongly support a positive outcome of this legislation. The coalition would be meeting on a regular basis.

Besides the members of the chamber and the council, partners of the coalition include a large number of nuclear companies, who are looking forward to expand their businesses in India, think-tanks, policy makers and lobby groups.

Somers last month was instrumental in the USIBC hiring Patton Boggs — a well-known lobbying firm — to provide support on sharing of civilian nuclear technology with India.