France [Images], a key member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, has agreed to expeditiously conclude a bilateral civilian nuclear cooperation pact with India.

The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations as National Security Adviser M K Narayanan met the French President's Diplomatic Adviser Jean-David Levitte in New Delhi.

'Both parties stressed their common endeavour to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including power generation, and agreed to conclude expeditiously a bilateral cooperation agreement,' a statement issued by the French embassy on Monday said.

In this context, they reaffirmed their commitment to international non-proliferation objectives, it said.

The French move assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of conclusion of Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.

Levitte also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and extended an invitation from French President Nicholas Sarkozy to visit that country. He handed over a message of friendship to Dr Singh from Sarkozy. Dr Singh also invited the French President to India at an early date, it said.