India's ruling party hails approval

New Delhi: India's governing party on Thursday hailed the US congressional approval of a civilian nuclear pact between the two nations, calling it a "monumental achievement," and an official said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would visit New Delhi soon to sign the accord.

The US Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly in favour of overturning a three-decade ban on atomic trade with India, allowing American businesses to begin selling
nuclear fuel, technology and reactors in exchange for safeguards and UN inspections of India's civilian nuclear plants.

The US House of Representatives earlier approved the accord, which now goes to President George W. Bush, a consistent supporter of the deal.

"The nuclear deal is a monumental achievement. It's a victory of Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh's government," said Veerappa Moily, a spokesman for the governing Congress party.