India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (123 Agreement), 2008
The India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, formally known as the "123 Agreement" (named after Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which governs nuclear cooperation agreements), was signed in October 2008 following the July 2005 framework announced by PM Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush. The deal ended a three-decade US moratorium on nuclear trade with India — imposed after India's 1974 Pokhran test — by granting India access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel without India being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The enabling US domestic legislation was the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act, 2006 (Hyde Act). India also obtained a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in September 2008.
- Signed: October 10, 2008; US Congressional approval: October 1, 2008
- Hyde Act (2006): US domestic law enabling the deal; not binding on India as per Vienna Convention
- NSG waiver: September 2008 — India-specific exemption allowing nuclear trade without NPT membership
- India-specific safeguards: India separated civilian and military nuclear facilities; civilian facilities placed under IAEA safeguards
- Key Indian reciprocal commitment: 14 civilian reactors placed under IAEA safeguards (8 PHWRs, 4 BWRs, 2 LWRs)
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