"Civil nuclear cooperation with India will not lead to an arms race in South Asia," Rice said while testifying at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged the Congress on Wednesday to approve a controversial U.S. nuclear deal with India that will provide nuclear technology to India.

    "Civil nuclear cooperation with India will not lead to an arms race in South Asia," Rice said while testifying at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    Rice is also scheduled to appear later Wednesday before the House International Relations Committee for the same case.

    U.S. President George W. Bush has urged the Congress approve the controversial nuclear deal he signed with India during his trip to the country early March.

    Bush sealed the U.S.-India Civilian Nuclear Agreement with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on March 2, and the United States will accordingly provide civilian nuclear technology to India.

    However, the deal has been strongly opposed by the U.S. Congress who argued that India did not sign the Nonproliferation Treaty and the move could embolden other countries to try to acquire nuclear technology. Enditem