In a major breakthrough for the troubled Indo-US nuclear deal, the powerful group of eight (G-8) industrialised countries on Wednesday decided to adopt a 'more robust' approach to civil nuclear cooperation with India to help meet its growing energy needs.

N-deal important for both India, US: Bush

"We look forward to working with India, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other partners to advance India's non-proliferation commitments and progress so as to facilitate a more robust approach to civil nuclear cooperation with India to help it meet its growing energy needs in a manner that enhances and reinforces the global non-proliferation regime," the Chair's Summary released at the end of the G-8 summit said in Toyako.

Australia unlikely to oppose N-deal at NSG

The statement came hours after US President George W Bush met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the G-8 summit.

The G-8 is made up of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.