Washington - US President George W Bush assured Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that his administration was working to get prompt congressional approval on a deal that would allow the United States to share civilian nuclear technology to India.

"It's taken a lot of work on both our parts, a lot of courage on your part," Bush said. "And so we're working hard to get it passed as quickly as possible."

Singh arrived in Washington for the White House meeting on Thursday after attending the UN General Assembly in New York, and just as Congress has taken up the historic agreement that has been at the forefront of Bush's foreign policy agenda as be prepares to leave office in January.

The deal, which would allow US firms to sell nuclear material and technology to India, is seen as the cornerstone of stronger diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

"I sincerely hope that this agreement ... will be approved in a manner which will be satisfactory from the point of view of both our countries," Singh said. (dpa)