From correspondents in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 09:37 PM IST

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday hailed the IAEA Board of Governors' decision to approve the India-specific safeguards pact, saying it was 'an important day for India'.

'I am delighted to hear that the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Governors has decided today, by consensus, to approve the India-specific safeguards agreement,' the prime minister said in a statement issued here.

Manmohan Singh said he was 'deeply appreciative of the historic significance of the milestone in our cooperation with the IAEA and the international community in peaceful uses of atomic energy.'

The Indian leader is in Sri Lanka to attend a two-day South Asian summit opening Saturday.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)