"Apprehensions that India's getting closer to the European Union might hamper its recent improved relations with Washington are unfounded, " said Renu Mittal, a senior political analyst.

She said India's cementing of relations with the EU can be seen as a strengthening of ties with the United States, adding the bloc's backing of India's bid to become part of the International Thermonuclear Reactor Project was recognition of New Delhi's nuclear and scientific capabilities. Mittal said the EU had followed the U.S. recognition of New Delhi's need for civilian nuclear energy.

The sixth meeting between India and the European Union was held Wednesday in New Delhi. A slew of economic and scientific deals were signed, including India joining the bloc's Galileo satellite system and buying Airbus aircraft. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the current president of the EU, said India's application for ITER would be considered for approval in last week of September.

The EU backing comes following a visit to Washington in July by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During that trip, the two sides signed an agreement under which Washington would supply India with civilian nuclear technology in exchange for New Delhi allowing international inspections of its civilian nuclear facilities. As part of the deal, India is now separating its civilian and military nuclear installations. The bush administration is seeking congressional approval for the agreement.

After the EU summit, Blair held a one-on-one meeting with Singh in the town of Udaipur.

"We ... discussed the issues of energy supplies, strategic stability and peace in the region, " Blair said Thursday.

"We have signed agreements on cooperation in hydrogen carbons, a new air services agreement, an agreement on co-production of films and an agreement on intellectual property rights, "Singh announced.

The two leaders also discussed terror-related issue and reaffirmed their commitment to the war on terrorism.

"Terrorism has no religion and they are friends of no religion," the joint statement said.

Mittal, the analyst, said the deal with the EU should show India is not putting all its eggs in one basket.

"India is votary to multipolar world," she said.

The deal with the EU should also stem criticism from India's leftists that the country is drawing close to Washington at the expense of its other, older partners.

But the EU is a key ally because India needs European support to persuade the Nuclear Supplier's Group to give it access to key material. Singh urged Blair to persuade the London-based NSG to soften its rules and provide material to India.

"India's decision to sign a civilian nuclear treaty with United States is also linked with the European Union as many of the EU countries are part of elite Nuclear Supplier's Group," said Mittal.

India said the EU remains its primary trade partner and source of high-technology imports. India has asked the EU to remove non-tariff barriers and the EU wants New Delhi to open up its economy further.

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