Singh and US President George W. Bush last year reached a controversial deal to give India access to civilian nuclear technology even though it has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty on atomic weapons.

The pact needs the approval of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which Japan is a pivotal member.

"Like Japan, India sees nuclear power as a viable and clean energy source to meet its growing energy requirements," Singh said in an address to the Japanese parliament.

"We seek Japan's support in helping put in place innovative and forward-looking approaches of the international community to make this possible," he said.

In an aside from his prepared text, Singh added: "At the same time, I would like to confirm that India's commitment to work for universal nuclear disarmament remains unshakable."

Japan's support for the India-US pact is seen as significant as it is the only nation to have been attacked with nuclear weapons and is also a major civilian atomic power.

Japan has been seeking warmer relations with India but has yet to offer a position on the nuclear pact. Singh meets Friday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Yohei Kono, the speaker of the lower house, who is often seen as a liberal within the ruling party, thanked the Indian parliament for its annual silent prayer for victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"And again we call on your country to mutually cooperate to abolish nuclear weapons," Kono said in a short speech welcoming Singh.

India in 1998 declared itself a nuclear weapons state, with tests replicated soon afterwards by Pakistan, which invited years of foreign sanctions on the rival neighbors.

India says it will not use nuclear weapons first but opposes the Non-Proliferation Treaty on the grounds that it puts atomic arms in the hands of five countries which show no sign of giving them up.

Singh's deal with Bush still faces strong opposition in India by both leftists and nationalists, who say the deal compromises India's sovereignty by allowing UN oversight of civilian nuclear facilities.

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