Moscow, Feb 21 (UNI) The Indo-Russian deal on building additional nuclear reactors at Kudankulam and other sites are ready and may be signed in the near future, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Asian Department, Alexander Maryasov said here today.

The two countries initialed an agreement on building four additional reactors earlier this month during Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov's visit to India.

''An agreement between Russia and India has been prepared on cooperation in the construction of additional power units at the Koodankulam NPP and at new sites to be designated,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Maryasov as saying.

Mr Maryasov also said that Moscow sought to sign the new contract as soon as possible.

However, he made it clear that the signing would take place only after restrictions on nuclear supplies and technology transfer to India were lifted and a safeguard deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was signed.

Russia was building two nuclear reactors at Koodankulam in line with the original 1988 agreement between India and the Soviet Union, modified by an addendum signed in 1998.

UNI XC SBC DB2133