Washington - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will head to India this week to put the final stamp on a historic accord the allows the United States to sell nuclear technology to India, the State Department said Thursday.

Rice departs Friday for New Delhi after the Senate overwhelmingly approved the agreement Wednesday evening in the final legislative move required before it goes for President George W Bush's signature.

"The agreement bolsters our partnership with the worlds largest democracy and a growing economic power, and will provide economic and job opportunities for our economy," Rice said in a statement Thursday.

"The Initiative will help Indias population of more than 1 billion to meet its rapidly increasing energy needs in an environmentally responsible way while reducing the growth of carbon emissions," Rice said.

Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed the deal in 2006, allowing US firms to sell atomic technology and material to India in exchange for international inspections of its civilian nuclear facilities. The deal does not cover India's military-related nuclear activities.

Rice will meet with Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee but it has not yet been determined if there will be a signing ceremony, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

The Senate voted 86-13 in favour of the legislation on Wednesday night after the House approved the bill on Saturday.

The nuclear pact was among Bush's highest priorities as he prepares to leave office in January.

Critics alleged the accord increases the chances of the proliferation of dangerous nuclear materials because India has refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (dpa)