Senate passage of a bill clearing the way for nuclear cooperation with India has three major drawbacks for American foreign policy.

The first is that it blows to smithereens any credibility in overall U.S. policy opposed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The prohibition on nuclear trade with India was imposed when it did not sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and then developed and tested nuclear weapons. It still hasn't signed the NPT and the new accord preserves its exclusion from inspection of its nuclear military facilities.

How, exactly, is the United States to oppose Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs in international forums while subscribing to India's position on nuclear weapons? Both of those countries have signed the NPT.

The second problem is the United States needs the support of India's arch-enemy, Pakistan, in fighting the Taliban, al-Qaida and terrorism in South Asia. Pakistan specifically developed its own nuclear weapons program to balance India's. The Pakistanis have watched the nuclear courtship of the United States and India with deep concern throughout the years of the Bush administration and find the new agreement to be vindication of all their suspicions.

The third issue is that the path of the bill through Congress was eased by a powerful new India lobby that has emerged in recent years, based in the growing numbers and wealth of people of Indian origin in the United States. Its most visible arm is the U.S. India Political Action Committee. The lobby's success in obtaining congressional approval for the nuclear bill moves it close in power and influence to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The tools of both are votes and money. Both lobby in Washington for the interests of another country. Too bad the House of Representatives has already passed this bill and that President Bush likely will sign it shortly.

The result is not in the long-term best interests of the United States. It would be worth following the money in this election year to learn the full story behind Congress' willingness to give India a free pass on nuclear weapons.