Friday, October 28 2005 18:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Russia, a key constituent of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), today (Oct 28, 2005) assured that it was 'mindful' of India's impeccable record on non-proliferation and indicated that civilian nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries could be expanded.

In the run-up to next month's IAEA meeting, the two countries agreed that the Iran nuclear issue should be discussed within the IAEA and the situation not be allowed to escalate to a point where the process of dialogue was stopped.

Moscow's position was outlined during an hour-long meeting here between visiting External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Singh apprised Lavrov of the legislation passed by India which strictly controls exports of any sensitive technology and materials.

In this connection, it was felt that exception could be made for India in terms of norms observed by the NSG. "The Russian side indicated that cooperation between India and Russia in the field of civilian nuclear energy could be expanded," it was officially stated.

At last month's IAEA meeting, India had supported the US-backed EU-3 (Britain, Germany and France) resolution against Tehran's nuclear programme, contending that this was to gain more time for diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue within the ambit of the nuclear watchdog. Russia had abstained from voting.

The November 24 IAEA meeting is expected to take a decision on whether or not to refer the Iran issue to the United Nations Security Council.