Washington: US President George W. Bush wrapped the India-US civil nuclear deal as a Diwali gift wishing hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world who will be celebrating the Indian festival of lights later this month.

"The American people are proud of our strong relationship with India. And I am confident that the friendship between our two nations will grow even closer in the years ahead," said Bush as he signed the US enabling law to give effect to the landmark accord here Wednesday at a White House ceremony.

"First Lady Laura and I send our best wishes to the hundreds of millions of people in India and around the world who will begin celebrating the ancient festival of Diwali later this month," he said amidst applause from the select gathering, including "Indian-American leaders from across the nation" who played a key role in bringing the deal to fruition. "As we offer our prayers for a happy new year, we can be thankful that the relationship between the United States and India has never been more vibrant and more hopeful," Bush said. "And it's now my honour to sign the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act," he said sitting down to sign the historic law.

Source : IANS