The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to approve a deal to end the three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India.

The legislation, which was approved by 86-13, is now sent to President George W. Bush for signing into law. The House of Representatives has already approved the pact.

The deal, considered a key part of Bush's foreign policy legacy, was a step the Bush administration's believes will secure a strategic partnership with India.

Critics, however, blamed the deal as one that would deal a blow to global efforts to contain the spread of nuclear weapon as it will give green light to India to import nuclear fuel and technology.

Washington and New Delhi reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation in March 2006, under which India will get access to U.S. civil nuclear technology on condition that India is to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use and open its nuclear facilities for inspection.

Following India's approval of the deal in July, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the agreement on Sept. 27. Prior to the approvals, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) agreed in early September to lift a nuclear trade embargo against India.

On Aug. 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed to sign a nuclear safeguards agreement with India, a move seen as giving the green light to India-U.S. nuclear cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2008)