The US and India were last night approaching an important milestone in their journey towards a new strategic partnership, with the US Congress poised to pass legislation to allow Washington to resume the sale of nuclear technology to New Delhi after a gap of 30 years.

The proposed changes to the US Atomic Energy Act will end a technology-denial regime imposed on India in the wake of its 1974 nuclear test; mark an abrupt shift in US counter-proliferation policy; and open the door to a wide range of commercial opportunities.