Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed a new nuclear cooperation between Ottawa and New Delhi after more than three decades.

"Increased collaboration with India's civilian nuclear energy market will allow Canadian companies to benefit from greater access to one of the world's largest and fastest expanding economies," Harper said in a statement.

Harper's remarks came after meeting with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

The Canadian premier said the agreement would allow Canadian firms to export and import controlled nuclear materials, equipment and technology to and from India.

"Canada and India will now take the necessary steps to prepare the agreement for final signature and implementation," according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Singh said, "India's needs for nuclear energy are enormous, just as we need a lot more energy to make a success of our developing presence."

Canada stopped nuclear cooperation with India in 1974 after its government used plutonium from a Canadian reactor to build an atomic bomb.

Last September, the international community lifted a three-decade ban on nuclear trade with India, although India still refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Some anti-nuclear activists worry India will stockpile domestic uranium for military weapons and use uranium imports for civilian purposes.

AGB/SC/DT