From correspondents in Washington, United States, 03:00 AM IST

The United States has expressed its appreciation for members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) who helped India get a waiver for nuclear trade to "end India's isolation from the international nuclear regime".

The NSG exemption, clearing the way for Congressional ratification of the India-US civil nuclear deal, will not only strengthen the international non-proliferation system but also help India address its energy needs in an environmentally sustainable way, a State Department spokesman said Saturday.

'We applaud today's decision by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and we express appreciation to the many governments which participated in forging this consensus to end India's isolation from the international nuclear regime,' a department spokesman said.

'We also want to congratulate the people of India on this accomplishment,' he said, noting, "Today's consensus is the culmination of an unprecedented three-year effort by our two governments working together as they never have before.'

'And this agreement will strengthen the international non-proliferation system and help India to address its energy requirements in an environmentally sustainable way,' the State Department official said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)