Russia [Images] on Tuesday affirmed its commitment to build additional nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu under an agreement for which negotiations have been completed.

The strategic partners also decided to step up all-round cooperation with particular focus on defence, hydrocarbons, trade and economic ties during talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and Russian Prime Minister Victor A Zubkov in New Delhi.

They set a bilateral trade target of 10 billion dollars to be achieved by 2010, for which the recommendations of a joint task force would be implemented and the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement considered.

Addressing journalists after his 90-minute meeting with Zubkov, Singh said the two sides discussed issues related to civil nuclear cooperation.

"We have finalised negotiations in regard to reaching an agreement on building additional nuclear power plants in India," he said in the presence of the Russian Prime Minister. Zubkov affirmed his country's commitment to building the nuclear plants in Kudankulam.

Under the agreement, Russia is to build four additional reactors in Kudankulam but it will have to wait for a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for which efforts are underway. The agreement was to be signed during Singh's visit to Moscow [Images] in November last year but it was put off because of the NSG waiver.

The two countries signed two Memorandum of Understanding-- one on development of cooperation in matters of Customs and another in the field of archives. Referring to the defence relations as an important pillar in the Indo-Russian relationship, Singh said the two sides expressed commitment to build on these ties.

Singh said the two sides agreed that vast potential existed for cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons.

He hoped that the ongoing discussions between oil and gas companies of the two countries would result in finalisation of joint projects in India, Russia and third countries.

Recognising the potential in the field of trade and economy, the two leaders agreed on stepping up efforts to tap it.
"We agreed to redouble our efforts to tap full potential of our two countries' economies," Singh said, adding that the two sides felt the need for diversifying the trade basket and expanding cooperation in the areas of minerals, diamonds, transport, services, investment and high technology.

 Zubkov said they set priorities, with particular attention to trade and economic relations.

"Trade last year grew by 30 per cent touching by five billion dollars. If the speed remains the same, I am confident the 10 billion dollar mark will be achieved," the Russian Prime Minister said.

 He added that the two countries had huge resources and political will that would help them achieve the target.