India inked a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia in Moscow on Monday that officials said entailed no restrictions of the type envisaged in a similar agreement signed with the US. The pact ensures supply of uranium to fuel nuclear reactors even if a bilateral pact with Russia on the issue falls apart if India tests another atomic weapon. They described the deal as “even better” than the 123 Agreement with the United States.

But it was unclear whether Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s statement at a joint press conference with prime minister Manmohan Singh was directed at Iran or at India. “Here, nothing changes for us … I will be very frank. We’re not interested in increasing the nuclear club,” the Russian president said at Kremlin’s Malakite Hall.

Medvedev was responding to questions on terrorism and control of nuclear technologies and about a G-8 statement that sought to curb nuclear fuel enrichment and reprocessing technology to non-NPT nations.

Medvedev later said that Moscow was “extremely attentive towards the subject” of Iran’s nuclear programme and other nations developing nuclear weapons.

Officials who did not want to be named said the agreement provides for “upfront consent for reprocessing of spent fuel”. They said it also includes a provision that “any termination will be without any prejudice to ongoing contracts and fuel supply obligations”. It includes provisions that are common with other agreements and as application of IAEA safeguards, retransfer mechanisms and non-interference in India’s unsafeguarded programmes.

The agreement on cooperation in the use of atomic energy for development purposes will mean more Russian-built nuclear reactors in India as well as full know-how transfers.

“The successful conclusion of negotiations on an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy is a major step forward in strengthening our existing cooperation in this field,” Singh said.

Five other pacts were inked on Monday. They are the agreement on programme of military and technical cooperation for the period 2011-2020, agreement on after-sale support for arms and military equipment supplied by Russia to India, a protocol to the agreement on cooperation in development and production of military transport aircraft of November 12 2007, an agreement on dollar credit-line between exim bank of India and Russian bank of development and foreign economic affairs and a programme for cultural exchange for 2010-2012.

“Relations between India and Russia are characterised by deep mutual trust and confidence… This is a relationship that stands on its own footing and is not influenced by our relations with any other country,” the prime minister said.

On the economic front, he said they had decided to set a trade target of $20 billion by 2015. “We have identified the areas of energy, information technology and communications and pharmaceuticals as the new thrust areas for cooperation,” Dr Singh said, adding that he welcomed Russian participation in the expansion of India’s nuclear programme. The Prime Minister said he reiterated to President Medvedev India’s interest in a similar expansion of ties in the hydrocarbon sector. Another thrust area would be trade in rough diamonds.

The two leaders also discussed regional security, “including the situation in Afghanistan”. Prime Minister Singh said both India and Russia have an interest in a stable and prosperous Afghanistan and have “agreed to regularly consult each other on this important issue”. They also agreed to enhance cooperation to meet the challenges of “terrorism and religious extremism that emanate from our region and threaten both our societies”.