Indo-US leaders talk nuclear deal at G8

Bush, who called Singh "one of the really true gentlemen" on the world stage, told him: "I know you've been through difficult times, and America mourns the loss of innocent life as a result of the terrorist attacks."

The prime minister thanked the president for US offers of support after the July 11 bombings that tore through Mumbai's commuter railway, leaving 182 dead and nearly 900 wounded in the worst such attack in India in 13 years.

"I'm grateful to you, you gave me help from Germany and I deeply appreciate your generosity. Your kindness, your sympathy and support mean a great deal to me," Singh said as they met on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit.

The two leaders did not publicly discuss sharp exchanges between Pakistan and India in the blasts' wake. New Delhi has suggested the bombers had support from across the border, a claim denied by Islamabad.

But they did address efforts to win approval from lawmakers in their respective countries for the hotly debated nuclear cooperation pact they agreed to in July last year.

"Our congress is working on that important piece of legislation that will encourage and allow India and US cooperation, and I'm optimistic that we will get that passed," said Bush, who called the accord "that wonderful deal."

Singh thanked Bush for his efforts to get the necessary legislation "moving through the Congress" and explained that there were concerns among Indian lawmakers too, saying: "We have a parliament which is very jealous of what we do and what we don't do."

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit of industrialised nations.

The nuclear pact won quick approval from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House International Relations Committee last month, boosting its chances of garnering floor votes in the full chambers.

Officials have been tinkering with the final bill however, which opponents argue does not include sufficient safeguards to prevent India from applying nuclear technology and material to military use.

Under the deal, the United States will aid the development of civilian nuclear power in India in return for New Delhi placing some of its nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency inspections.

The US Atomic Energy Act of 1954 currently prevents the United States from trading nuclear technology with nations that have not signed up to the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. The law has to be amended for the India deal to be effective.