Vienna, Sep 6 (IANS) The 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) will continue its extraordinary meeting on Saturday in an effort to seek consensus on a 'clean waiver' to open nuclear commerce with India.

At the end of a 16-hour meeting that concluded at 2 a.m on Saturday, US Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security John Rood told reporters that the long day of discussions to consider allowing civil nuclear trade with India will resume on Saturday at 11 a.m.

'We have completed a long day of discussions on this issue. I am pleased with the significant progress that we have made throughout the day,' Rood said.

'You are probably aware that the Indian government has released a significant statement today with respect to India's non proliferation commitments. I report that statement has made a substantial impact on the governments of the NSG and that has facilitated the progress that we achieved today,' Rood concluded, adding that the US remains committed to reaching consensus here at the NSG to allow for nuclear trade with India.

'This is an important matter. This is a serious subject that is given a very serious discussion by our colleagues and I remain optimistic that we can achieve our objective to reach a consensus here,' Rood said.