"India and Russia [Images] enjoy extensive cooperation in the development of peaceful nuclear energy and we look forward to expanding our nuclear ties with Russia," Dr Singh said, speaking at a joint press conference with Putin at the Kremlin's Grand Palace.

President Putin added that Russia would always be a reliable partner for India in furthering cooperation in the civilian nuclear energy sector.

Asked whether a time frame had been finalised for taking the India-United States nuclear deal to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Dr Singh said the matter is under discussion with the government's coalition partners and the process of finding a broad-based national consensus is on.

Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said Prime Minister Singh and President Putin spent over two hours in a one-on-one meeting at the Kremlin. Menon said the meeting was one of the longest between the two leaders and that it was a real meeting of minds. Issues like defence, atomic energy, space, the situation in India's neighbourhood and Iran were discussed, Menon added.

Both sides also held delegation level talks on economic ties, trade and the Year of Russia in India, which will be held early in 2008, and for the inauguration of which the prime minister has invited President and Mrs Putin.

India and Russia are also cooperating on a lunar probe, the Chandrayan 2, which will land on the moon in 2011. Menon said the move will have a huge impetus on our space programme.

A Joint Study Group -- set up to identify ways to increase India-Russia trade to $10 billion (Rs 40,000 crore) by 2010 -- has recommended the setting up of a task force to achieve this. The task force will be set up shortly, the foreign secretary said.