Washington - The United States and India on Friday placed the final signatures on a landmark accord that allows US firms to sell civilian nuclear technology and material to India.

The bill reverses more than 30 years of US policy banning the export of nuclear technology to India in exchange for international inspections of India's civilian nuclear energy programme.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee signed the deal during a ceremony at the State Department, capping off three years of complicated negotiations.

"Let us use this partnership to share in international order in which all states can exercise their sovereignty responsibly," Rice said. (dpa)