India and Russia signed a civilian nuclear deal Friday that would see Russia build four nuclear reactors for power-starved India. The deal, inked during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, was one of 10 agreements, including the sale of 80 military helicopters and space cooperation. “The signing of the agreement on civil nuclear cooperation with Russia marks a new milestone in the history of our cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy,” said Singh. The deal follows the conclusion of a landmark nuclear deal between the United States and India earlier this year which opened the way for nuclear trade between India and other nations. India has faced a nuclear trade ban since its first atomic test in 1974 amid its refusal to sign international treaties designed to limit the illicit spread of such materials. The Indo-Russian deal to build four reactors at Kudankulam in the southern state of Tamil Nadu had been agreed on in January, but could not be ratified until the international Nuclear Supplier Group agreed to lift the atomic ban. Moscow is already building two 1,000-megawatt light water reactors at the site. India is eager to expand its nuclear energy sector to help fuel its rapidly growing - but energy starved - economy. The two countries have close ties dating back to the Cold War. Russia has traditionally been India's largest arms suppliers and has built several reactors for India in the past. India also agreed to buy 80 military helicopters from Russia and discussed leasing a Russian nuclear-powered submarine, Medvedev said. The two countries also signed an accord that envisages Russia sending an Indian cosmonaut into space in 2013 and then launch a manned Indian spacecraft in 2015, officials said.
