"The agreement also grants India advance consent to reprocessing, which will be brought into effect upon the conclusion of arrangements and procedures for a dedicated reprocessing facility under IAEA safeguards, " Bush said.

Bush said the agreement is consistent with Atomic Energy Act and other elements of the US law and that the legislation makes no changes to the 123 Agreement.

Bush inked the " H R 7081, United States- India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act "finally cleared by the US Congress last week reversing 34 years of US policy to eventually allow American businesses to have a share of India's 100 billion dollar nuclear pie.

"On Friday at 4 o'clock (0130 IST Saturday) the secretary will sign with the Indian foreign minister, Foreign Minister Mukherjee, the India Civil Nuclear Agreement," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.

"This follows on the president's signature today of implementing legislation in the United States," he added.

Bush welcomed the large gathering of senior administration officials,members of Congress,the Ambassador of India and the Indian American community saying that this agreement with India will also strengthen global non proliferation efforts.

"Our agreement will also strengthen global non-proliferation efforts. India has committed to operate its civil nuclear energy programme under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international guidelines.

India will continue to build on its strong record of responsibility in operating its nuclear facilities. And India and the United States will cooperate more closely to keep the world's most dangerous weapons out of the hands of extremists and terrorists" Bush said.

... contd.