WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee signed the U.S.-India Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy here Friday.

An activist holds a placard to protest against India's civilian nuclear deal with the United States during a demonstration in Mumbai October 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Under the agreement, American businesses will be allowed to sell nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India, thus reversing a three-decade ban on atomic trade with the fast-growing nuclear-armed Asian power.

    It was believed that the deal highlights a strategic partnership between the two countries not only in nuclear know-how but also in trade, defense cooperation and other areas.

    "This is truly a historic occasion," Rice told those gathered for the signing ceremony in the State Department.

    Mukherjee, who hailed the "important day for U.S.-India relations," said that "We have brought to fruition three years of extraordinary effort by both our governments."

    Mukherjee expressed belief that the India-U.S. cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear program will boost India's industry and rural development and help every sector of the economic growth.

An activist takes part in a protest against India's civilian nuclear deal with the United States during a demonstration in Mumbai October 4, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The nuclear pact could open up around 27 billion U.S. dollars in investment in 18 to 20 nuclear plants in India over the next 15years, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry.

    U.S. President George W. Bush, who described the accord as the cornerstone of a new strategic relationship with India, signed into law on Wednesday a bill approved by Congress allowing civilian U.S. nuclear trade with India, saying "It's a big deal" between the two countries.

    "We are natural partners as we head into the 21st century," Bush said.

    The United States imposed a ban on civilian nuclear trade with India after the latter's first nuclear test in 1974.

    In July 2005, the Bush administration agreed to share civilian nuclear technology and supply nuclear fuel to India in return for New Delhi's separating its civilian and military nuclear programs.

    The two countries 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.

    Strategic, diplomatic and economic ties between India and the United States have blossomed after New Delhi was quick to back Washington's war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.

Rice to visit India after approval of U.S.-India nuclear deal

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will begin a three-day visit to India on Friday to mark the approval of a landmark U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement, the State Department said Thursday.

    During the Oct. 3-5 visit, Rice will meet with Indian leaders, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. Full story

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.  Full story