Washington, Ending India's 30-year-old nuclear isolation, US President George W Bush today signed the historic legislation allowing civilian nuclear trade with it saying the step would make the world safer.

Signing the Henry J Hyde India-US Peaceful Energy Act at a special White House ceremony, Bush said the civilian nuclear agreement which was translated into the law was an "evidence of growing bonds of trust" between the two countries and will strengthen bilateral relations further.

"It is an important achievement for the whole world. After 30 years after the system, India will now operate its civilian nuclear energy programme under internationally- accepted guidelines and the world is going to be safer as a result," he said.

Describing India as a "friend" which has been conducting its civil nuclear programme in a "safe and responsible" manner for decades, he said it needs large amount of energy because of its rapidly growing economy.

The civilian nuclear agreement reached between the two countries in March will enable it access to clean energy besides reducing dependence on fossil fuels, he said.

The bill, marking an amendment to the 1954 US Atomic Energy Act, was passed by the Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support during the lame-duck session. This will allow the US to restore civilian nuclear relations with India which were snapped after New Delhi conducted atomic test in 1974.

The Act "will help keep America safe by paving the way for India to join the global efforts to stop spread of nuclear weapons."