New Delhi - India said Thursday it was taking steps to initiate nuclear commercial cooperation with foreign partners like Russia and France after the Nuclear Suppliers Group's waiver, but would first sign bilateral pacts similar to that with the US.

The Nuclear Power Cooperation of India has also begun preliminary discussions with US companies, an official spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Navtej Sarna said in a statement.

"We have informed the US about our intent to source state of the art nuclear technologies and facilities based on the provisions of the 123 Agreement from the US," Sarna said.

"The government is also moving towards finalising bilateral agreements with other friendly partner countries such as France and Russia," he said.

The statement comes hours after US President George W Bush submitted the agreement for approval to the US Congress.

Once approved, the US would be allowed to export fissile materials and technology for civilian reactors in India ending a three-decade ban.

Sarna, however, added that actual cooperation would commence only after the 123 agreement with the US and similar pacts with other countries came into force.

Industry analysts estimate that India's civilian nuclear energy programme could generate business worth 100 billion dollars over the next decade. (dpa)