Bush likely to sign N-bill next week

Bush, who was earlier expected to sign the legislation by Thursday, will now most probably sign it next week.

US President George W Bush is expected to sign the legislation on the implementation of the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal next week.

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Earlier indications were that Bush would sign the legislation passed last week in the House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday or Thursday.

Key lawmakers in the House and Senate, who were instrumental in getting the legislations done in their respective Chambers as also playing a pivotal role in the Conference Committee stage, senior administration officials involved in the process and members of the Indian American community would be present at the signing ceremony.

The US Congress on December 9 approved the landmark 'Henry J Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006' allowing civilian nuclear trade with India for the first time in 30 years.

An agreement to have the civilian nuclear deal was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July 2005. The deal was finalised when Bush visited India in March on 2006.