India, on Friday, welcomed the passage of the bill on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal by the US Senate. It said it expected the final version of the legislation to adhere as closely as possible to the understandings reached between the two countries on July 18, 2005 and March 2, 2006.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the final version of the bill was expected to be taken up for vote by the US Congress on December 4 and 'we must await the final version before drawing any conclusions on the legislation'.

Mukherjee expressed sincere appreciation for the 'tireless efforts' made by US President George W Bush [Images] and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice [Images], who 'worked personally to ensure the passage of the bill'.

"We welcome the passage of the bill on the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation in the US Senate by an overwhelming majority. This, undoubtedly refects the very broad bipartisan support which this initiative enjoys," the minister said.

"We now expect that the final version of the legislation should adhere as closely as possible to the understandings incorporated in the July 18, 2005 Indo-US joint statement and the March, 2006 separation plan so that full civil nuclear cooperation between India and the US becomes a reality and contributes to India's energy security," he said.

The final version of the legislation will emerge after the joint conference of the House of Representatives and Senate.