Bush, Putin praise Indian non-proliferation efforts

The United States and Russia called on Saturday for expanding civilian nuclear cooperation with India, lauding non-proliferation obligations undertaken by New Delhi.

US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who held summit-level talks, said they welcome the important non-proliferation obligations undertaken by India as well as its efforts in the field of non-proliferation.

"We strive for interaction with India in the field of civilian cooperation with the aim to satisfy her energy requirements as well as on issues for further strengthening global non-proliferation regime," the two leaders said in a joint communique issued at the end of their talks, according to the Russin text circulated by the Kremlin press service.

Putin said both countries advocated a peaceful solution to the long-running disputes over Iran and North Korea - "Both sides confirmed their resolve to find solutions to those complex issues by peaceful, diplomatic means."

Bush said Moscow's proposal to set up a uranium enrichment centre in Russia to supply Iranian nuclear power plants with fuel and return spent fuel back to Russia was a good option for the Islamic republic if it sought to develop its civilian nuclear energy sector.

The presidents adopted a statement on safe development of nuclear energy and agreed to set up international uranium enrichment centres in a bid to give all countries access to nuclear power while deterring the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Putin also said at the news conference that Russia was pleased with the joint efforts on Iran - "Today, we are satisfied with the way cooperation between Russia and the United States on this issue is proceeding." 

On North Korea, Putin and Bush adopted a joint statement urging the North to resume nuclear talks and voicing concerns over the Communist state's missile tests.

Bush and Putin ordered their governments to begin talks on a cooperation agreement for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They intended to develop cooperation based on national interests, common goals, and trade advantages in the peaceful nuclear sphere.