Sanya, April 13
While pledging to continue their cooperation in the civil nuclear energy field, India and Russia today stressed the need for international efforts to re-examine nuclear safety and standards in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The safety and security of nuclear plants could be ensured as there was no clear option to nuclear energy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev observed at their meeting here on the margins of the BRICS summit. They also reviewed internal nuclear safety standards and measures.

The Prime Minister, in his opening remarks, noted that India and Russia enjoy a unique strategic and global partnership and would complete a decade of strategic cooperation which was ''an occasion to celebrate.'' He said the relations had ''gained in depth and width''.

The Russian President recalled his visit to India in December last year, describing it as useful and productive. ''Today we are meeting in the framework of BRICS for discussing world's problems, specially economic and humanitarian projects.’’

Briefing reporters on the meeting, National Security Adviser Shivshanker Menon said the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral ties.

In the hydro carbon sector, both Singh and Medvedev spoke about the agreement signed for cooperation in this field in December. “Our interest was flagged…we are holding high-level contacts for strengthening and deepening cooperation in this sector which started with Sakhalin.’’

Developments in West Asia and North Africa and their impact on the international system and energy security were also discussed.