Algeria ? A landmark deal to improve nuclear cooperation between the United States and India moved forward Saturday with the approval of an international regulatory group in Algiers, but U.S. officials who have promoted the accord acknowledged they might run out of time to push it through a balky Congress before President Bush leaves office.

The agreement, which the administration hopes would create a strategic alliance with India, won the blessing of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an organization of countries that cooperate to limit the spread of nuclear technologies.

But the deal must be approved by Congress, and it adjourns for the year Sept. 26. Some influential lawmakers, including Rep. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, have reservations about it.