London, July 10 : US Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Gregory Schulte today welcomed India''s move to circulate the safeguards draft among the IAEA Board of Governors.

Addressing reporters at the Agency headquarters in Vienna, he promised to ensure that the Indo-US nuclear deal is implemented as early as possible.

He said, “We welcome India''s willingness to move forward with this historic initiative. The initiative will help strengthen the global non-proliferation regime and India to meet its growing energy demands in an environmentally friendly way."

"We will work closely with India, our Nuclear Suppliers Group partners and the US Congress to ensure that the initiative is implemented as expeditiously as possible," he added.

He emphasized that India and the US are eager to conclude the deal under US President George Bush’s tenure, which would end on January 20.

After securing IAEA approval, India would go for the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s approval, a group of 45 states that export nuclear fuel and technology and from the US Congress. (ANI)