Washington  - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Washington later this month as the US Congress begins to contemplate the approval of the landmark nuclear deal between the two countries.

President George W Bush formally submitted the nuclear cooperation agreement to Congress late Wednesday as he rushes to complete the deal before he leaves office in January.

The agreement has been among his top foreign policy priorities since he began his second term, but the effort was slowed by complex negotiations between the two countries and earlier opposition within Singh's governing coalition.

Singh is slated to visit the White House September 25 for talks with Bush and could also use the opportunity to address concerns by US lawmakers worried about sharing fissile technology with a country that is not a member of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"The conclusion of this agreement, which completes the US-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative, has been a priority for both President Bush and Prime Minister Singh," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there is support for the deal, but that Congress want to closely examine it to ensure there are no proliferation risks.

"Trying to strike the balance of this is about civilian nuclear use, and we don't want it to be a precedent for saying many more countries will join the club," Pelosi said.

The United States pursued the nuclear deal with India as the cornerstone of new diplomatic and economic ties after decades of chilly relations during the Cold War.

"This historic achievement will bolster international non- proliferation efforts, provide economic and business opportunities in both countries, and help India address its growing energy needs in an environmentally responsible manner," White House spokeswoman Perino said.

Under the deal, India was required to separate its miliary and civilian nuclear programmes and open up its civilian sites to inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN body that monitors nuclear work.

Last week, the US and India persuaded the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an organization of 45 nations that sets rules for trading nuclear materials, to grant an exemption for India - a move required because of New Delhi's refusal to join the non-proliferation treaty.

Congress is tentatively scheduled to recess at the end of this month and it remains unclear whether the legislative body will hold another session this year after the November 4 elections - adding to the sense of urgency in bringing the nuclear agreement to lawmakers. (dpa)