Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on Wednesday said that he was given assurance by United States President George W Bush [Images] that he was very sincere in his commitment to the transfer of civilian nuclear reactors to India. Dr Singh said that Bush assured him that this would become a reality by the end of his presidential term.

• India, US sign pact for transfer of civilian nuclear reactors

According to the joint statement signed by the US president and Dr Singh, Bush on Tuesday had called for giving India the same access to benefits of nuclear technology as other responsible nuclear states.

He had described India as a 'responsible state with advanced nuclear technology' and said that 'India should acquire the same benefits and advantages as other such states'.

The deal has been criticised by some US politicians and some sections of the US media.