WASHINGTON —  The White House says President George W. Bush plans to sign into law on Wednesday a bill approved by Congress allowing civilian U.S. nuclear trade with India.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe also said Monday the signing of the actual bilateral nuclear deal with India was expected shortly thereafter.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday that no substantive issues stand in the way of signing the overall deal. She said it was only a matter of waiting for a series of administrative steps.

The agreement allows U.S. businesses to begin selling nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India in exchange for safeguards and U.N. inspections at India's civilian — but not military — nuclear plants.