US Senate takes major step on India nuclear deal

WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Reuters) The US Senate has approved long-stalled legislation that moves toward opening the door to US-India nuclear cooperation for the first time in three decades.

The vote was 85 to 12 after the Republican-controlled Senate defeated a handful of amendments India said would kill the deal.

Several more critical approvals are needed before the agreement can take effect but the Senate action moved India a major step closer to being able to purchase US nuclear fuel, reactors and related technology.

REUTERS PDS PM0701