New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) Taking their bilateral relationship to new heights, India and Russia today agreed to deepen strategic partnership and impart new dimensions to cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy, defence, trade and economy.

India also sought long-term cooperation in the field of energy security, particularly civilian nuclear energy, while both countries stressed on cooperation for ''peaceful uses of the Atom''.

Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who held discussions for nearly three hours here today, at a joint press conference after the talks, underlined the need to further develop international cooperation in promoting the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The two countries signed nine agreements for cooperation in various fields including nuclear, space, culture, trade and and economy, science and technology and energy.

The Russian President, who will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow, arrived this morning on a two-day official visit.

After being received by the Prime Minister, he drove straight to Hyderabad House for talks.

Mr Putin is accompanied by a high-level business delegation, indicating both countries' interest in promoting trade and economic relations.

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