The International Herald Tribune on the Indo-US nuke deal: The Bush administration and the American business community have been hoping for a swift, rubber-stamp approval of their ill-conceived nuclear trade deal with India. Luckily, some members of Congress, and some American allies, are finally asking questions.

Congress was far too uncritical when it gave preliminary approval to the agreement in December. As a next step, Washington must get a change in rules from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the main providers of so-called civilian nuclear technology around the world. All nuclear trade with India has been banned since it refused to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and tested nuclear weapons.

Now some members of Congress are beginning to raise doubts about the deal. A proposal introduced in the House last week would be a “sense of the House” resolution. But by highlighting bipartisan concerns, it should bolster skeptics in the suppliers’ group who rightfully fear that the agreement could benefit New Delhi’s weapons programme as much as its pursuit of nuclear power, while making it even harder to rein in the ambitions of nuclear wannabes, including Iran.

American and Indian officials have offered conflicting interpretations about whether the United States would cut off trade and fuel deliveries if the Indians test another nuclear weapon. The resolution also instructs the administration to ensure that any change in the suppliers’ group rules be consistent with US law. This would include adopting specific conditions that would require all member states to halt nuclear trade with India if New Delhi tests a weapon.

If the suppliers’ group fails to set these conditions, it will be far too easy for New Delhi to do an end-run around Washington and buy technology and fuel from states that are even more eager to make a buck.