U.S. House of Representatives approves nuclear deal with India

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Saturday a civilian nuclear agreement that will put an end to the three-decade ban on American nuclear trade with India.

"Today's approval by the House of the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement furthers our countries' strategic relationship while balancing nuclear non-proliferation concerns and India's growing energy needs," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

"The legislation recognizes India's past support for non-proliferation initiatives and strengthens congressional oversight of any future U.S. decision to assist India's civilian nuclear program," she said.

The agreement, passed by a 298-117 vote in the House, is yet to be approved by the Senate.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Thursday, said that his administration is working hard for the approval of U.S.-India nuclear agreement.

"Civil nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and India pursuant to the agreement will offer major strategic and economic benefits to both countries," the White House said in a statement to Congress before the vote.

Washington and New Delhi reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in March 2006, under which India will get access to U.S. civil nuclear technology on condition that India is to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use and open its nuclear facilities for inspection.

The nuclear deal, considered a key part of Bush's foreign policy legacy, is designed to solidify Washington's relationship with a fast-emerging economic power.