The Bush administration's decision to ease restrictions on the transfer of civilian nuclear technology to India is long overdue. It will help India keep pace with the burgeoning energy demands that threaten its economic and political stability. It will reinforce Indian economic and strategic ties to the west. Above all, by acknowledging belatedly that India is a nuclear weapons state, the White House has updated and strengthened a global non-proliferation regime in which India will now have an increased stake.

Until now, the US failure to treat India as a nuclear weapons power has led to ridiculous results. Washington has permitted the sale of civilian nuclear reactors to China, which signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but violated Article One by giving nuclear weapons technology to Pakistan and Iran. At the same time, it has barred such sales to India, which did not sign the NPT but has never been accused of transferring nuclear secrets to others.