It is a big day for India: Congress

New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Upbeat over US President George Bush signing into law the lifting of a ban on nuclear trade with India, the Congress today said 'it is a big day for India" as it would end 34-year-long nuclear apartheid and would meet the country's increasing power needs.

''ncidentally, President Bush gave assent to the legislation on the India-US Nuclear deal on the Vijayadasmi day which represents the victory of the good over the evil,''AICC Spokesman Manish Tewari said here today.

He said the nuclear deal was a major achievement of the Congress-led UPA government and a major victory for India.

Mr Tewari said the deal would not hamper India's nuclear programme which would continue to be 'intact." Holding that the 123 agreement to operationalise the deal has not been changed, he said it would open nuclear trade with the rest of the world.

''The future generations will not have to face any electricity shortage.'' The US Senate voted last week to overturn the ban. The House of Representatives later passed the bill without debate.

Though the legislation received Congressional nod last week, it received the Presidential assent only today.

UNI SH RSA GC1456