Key US Senate committee backs nuclear deal with India

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Reuters) A key US Senate committee gave initial approval today to a sweeping civilian nuclear cooperation deal with India, hailing it as the cornerstone of ties with an important new ally.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved bipartisan legislation endorsing the deal and setting rules for final approval on a 16 to 2 vote, with little wrangling over non-proliferation concerns that had dogged earlier debate over the agreement.

REUTERS PK VV2224