Sergei Kirienko, the director of the Russian Atomic Energy Commission, on Tuesday said Moscow [Images] will welcome the Nuclear Suppliers' Group decision to exempt India from its guidelines to allow it to participate in international atomic trade.

He also welcomed the separation plan of military and civilian nuclear programmes and India's compliance with non-proliferation norms.

Asked about the delay in setting up the nuclear power plant at Kudankulam, Kirienko said "we are trying to speed up the proceedings to improve the situation."

He said the delay was not because of the restructuring of the company governing the nuclear trade but pertained to transfer of shares.