Singh thanks Bush and discusses next steps

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday thanked US President George W. Bush for his role in getting India a "clean waiver" from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and discussed with him the next steps to complete the landmark nuclear deal.

"The prime minister thanked President Bush for his role in taking forward the civil nuclear initiative and the decision by the NSG to adjust its guidelines to enable full civil nuclear cooperation between India and the international community," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said here.

"The two leaders expressed their belief that mutually beneficial relations between India and the US were in the interest of their people, and were on a path of steady consolidation and multifaceted expansion, to which both leaders reiterated their commitment," it said.

Bush also assured Manmohan Singh about getting the Congressional approval for the 123 bilateral civil nuclear cooperation pact, official sources said.

The US Congress is likely to consider the 123 pact for its approval when it meets on Monday. The approval is expected during the forthcoming session of the Congress that ends on September 26.

Manmohan Singh and Bush are likely to sign the 123 pact when the two leaders meet in Washington towards the end of this month.