India and Kazakhstan today agreed to carry forward their civil nuclear cooperation beyond 2014, the deadline for the supply of fuel for the reactors as per the present nuclear contract, with the uranium-rich nation assuring to help meet the "big appetite" of energy-deficient India.

The two sides also discussed projects of ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), which has already acquired 25 per cent stake in the Satpayev Oil Block in the Caspian Sea, with India seeking Kazakhstan's support for an important bid that OVL is making for a stake in the Kashagan oil field.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Kazakh counterpart Erlan Idrissov held comprehensive talks on various regional and international issues of mutual interest and reviewed status of bilateral ties in key areas of defence, civil nuclear energy and hydrocarbons.

"We hold similar views on most pressing global problems. We agreed that the menace of international terrorism has to be fought by the international community collectively and that we must also make bilateral efforts in this direction," Khurshid said at a joint press conference with Idrissov.

They also discussed ways to enhance civil nuclear cooperation with Idrissov noting that the agreement inked by two sides for supply of fuel till 2014 was being implemented.

"Therefore, we are looking beyond that," the visiting dignitary said while noting that the Chairman of Kazakh nuclear company KazAtomProm was part of his delegation and he held discussions with his counterpart here.

India and Kazakhstan already have civil nuclear cooperation since January 2009 when NPCIL and Kazakh nuclear company KazAtomProm signed an MoU under which KazAtomProm supplies uranium for Indian reactors.

India has 20 operating nuclear units with five more, including a fast breeder, under construction. Another 39 are planned or firmly proposed. However, the country has only modest indigenous uranium resources.

In 2010, the NPCIL reported that it had imported some 868 tonnes of uranium so far that year, including 300 tonnes of natural uranium from Kazakh nuclear company KazAtomProm.

Kazakhstan, on the other hand, has 15 per cent of the world's uranium resources and became the leading uranium- producing country in 2009.

Khurshid and Idrissov also expressed satisfaction over the progress in the trade and investment relations.

"Our trade is reported to have crossed the half billion dollar mark for the first time last year. We also have a number of significant investment projects in the pipeline, in both countries. We agreed to explore possibilities of creating direct trade and energy corridors between our countries," Khurshid said.

Asked about Kashagan oil field bid, the visiting minister said the issue was very complex as it involved technical and commercial aspects but hoped it would be settled "sooner than later". However, he said "it is not end of life" and emphasised on more bilateral ventures.

OVL plans to buy US-based oil company ConocoPhillips Co.'s 8.4 percent stake in Kashagan oil field for about USD 5 billion and was looking at closing the deal in the first half of 2013.

They also discussed ways to enhance air connectivity with airlines from Kazakhstan and India soon having up to 14 flights a week to destinations in each of our countries.

"I have informed the minister that I would be travelling to Kazakhstan for the Istanbul process and later once again for the bilateral talks," Khurshid added.