French President Jacques Chirac and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said they would work towards a bilateral agreement in a joint statement after a meeting,.

"France acknowledges the need for full international civilian nuclear cooperation with India and will work towards this objective by working with other countries and the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) and deepening bilateral cooperation," the statement said.

Manmohan stopped off in France on his way to the United Nations, where he is expected to meet Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to discuss ways to move forward the peace process between the two South Asian rivals.

France, which has the highest number of nuclear reactors after the United States, is a member of the NSG, an informal group seeking to control nuclear-technology exports.

Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told reporters France would work with the group to try and get restrictions on supply of equipment and technology lifted.

Washington had barred providing atomic technology to India because of New Delhi's status as a nuclear power that has refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was designed to halt the spread of nuclear weapons.

India caused international outrage in 1998 by testing a nuclear weapon. Its old foe, neighbouring Pakistan, carried out five nuclear tests soon afterwards in a tit-for-tat response.

But the United States changed policy in return for New Delhi's commitment to adhere to international non-proliferation regimes.

Monday's statement said France noted "India's strong commitment to preventing weapons of mass destruction proliferation and the ongoing steps it is taking in this regard."

Pakistan called on the United States and other Western countries earlier on Monday for help developing its own nuclear technology to meet growing energy needs.