President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have reached a deal on implementing a landmark nuclear energy cooperation agreement.
The first official word of the deal came from the Indian prime minister.
Mr. Singh said, "I am particularly pleased that we have reached an understanding on the implementation of our agreement on civil nuclear cooperation of July 18, 2005."
Speaking at a joint news conference in New Delhi, President Bush called the deal "historic."
He said, "It was not an easy job for the prime minister to achieve this agreement. … It is not easy for the American president to achieve this agreement. But it is a necessary agreement."
Under the deal, the United States will provide India with technology and fuel for its nuclear power plants. In return, India will open those civilian facilities to international inspection. The agreement must still be approved by the legislatures of both countries.