We will now move forward to accomplish the final step: Mulford

Hailing the waiver for India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the US tonight said it will now move forward to clinch the approval of the Amercian Congress for the civil nuclear cooperation with New Delhi.

Hailing the waiver for India at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the US tonight said it will now move forward to clinch the approval of the Amercian Congress for the civil nuclear cooperation with New Delhi.

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"We will now move forward to accomplish the final step with our Congress," US Ambassador to India David C Mulford told reporters in New Delhi.

He said the agreement on the waiver for India will strengthen global non-proliferation initiatives.

"This is a triumphant day for India. The Nuclear Suppliers Group consensus reached in Vienna today is a culmination of years of hard work and cooperation between India and the US to bring India in the global civil nuclear mainstream," the envoy said.

Mulford said he would like to recognise the vision and dedication of President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in achieving this remarkable breakthrough.

The waiver would "also permit India to address its critical energy requirements and contribute importantly to protecting our global environment," he said.

The waiver was clinched overcoming fierce obstacles after three days of negotiations that saw China, Austria, Ireland and New Zealand holding out till the last minute.

The deal will now go to the US Congress for approval in the next few weeks before it can be operationalised.