NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has described the passage of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal as a landmark development saying the agreement will be mutually rewarding for India and the international community and shall help in addressing the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.

"The passage of the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement by the US Congress is a landmark development," Gandhi said in a statement. Praising the efforts of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the UPA chairperson said the agreement marks the successful culmination of a process initiated by the PM in July 2005, guided by India's supreme national interest, which the Congress has throughout endorsed.

"I specially congratulate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has demonstrated a firm resolve in taking forward this bold initiative," she said. Gandhi said the agreement is an acknowledgement of India's impeccable credentials and paves the way for the country's integration into the global mainstream.

"This historic step as well as the NSG exemption has opened the door for India to enter into civil nuclear cooperation with US and other major countries with advanced technologies, including France, Russia and UK," she said.

Terming the Indo-US deal as a notable achievement of the UPA government, she said, "It will contribute immensely in augmenting the much needed energy generation capacity for agriculture and in meeting our developmental objectives".

The Congress President also complimented the nuclear scientists of the country who made India self reliant in nuclear technology.

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