A Republican Congressman has mooted a proposal to amend the US Atomic Energy Act, 1954, so that it could formalise the civilian nuclear deal reached between India and the United States early in March.

• Bush in India

Congressman Joe Wilson, the Co Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, has asked lawmakers to "co-sponsor" legislation HR 4974 that seeks amendments to the 1954 act, which would formalise the Indo-US deal.

"Once we carefully consider all aspects of this deal, we can safely conclude that it will strengthen non proliferation efforts, create US jobs and partner India with the International Atomic Energy Agency," Wilson said in a letter to fellow Congressmen.

• Indo-US nuke tango

He also attached an editorial from The Post and Courier, which wrote about the "historic" visit of US President George W Bush [Images] to India in the letter given to Congressmen.

The editorial said, the "friendship with India also helps counterbalance China's rising economic and military power in the Asia region and keep the pressure on Pakistan President Pervez  Musharraf to suppress Islamic fundamentalist forces."

On the issue of civilian nuclear energy, the proposal to share peaceful nuclear technology with a nation that has not joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty "is moving forward".

"If and when details are ironed out and India opens its peaceful nuclear activities to international inspection, New Delhi will take its responsible place in the rank of the world's nuclear powers. That will place great pressure on Pakistan to follow suit," it observed.