PTI

Tashkent, Apr 27: India's quest for energy security today received a major boost with Uzbekistan, one of the world's 10 largest producers of gas, offering exploration facilities to Indian companies in the hydrocarbon sector with a proposal that the extracts be shared by the two countries on an equal basis.

The Uzbek offer came from its President Islam Karimov during his 90-minute talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a wide range of issues covering bilateral and international issues like terrorism, drug trafficking, Afghanistan situation and UN reforms.

Issues relating to enhancement of energy, economic and trade cooperation also figured prominently.

Uzbekistan also "resolutely backed" India's claim for permanent membership of the expanded UN Security Council.

Addressing a joint press conference with Singh, Karimov said the two sides agreed to set up woking groups in oil and gas sectors besides on Information Technology under the framework of the Inter-Governmental Commission.

The two sides inked seven pacts which included MoU for cooperation in oil and natural gas between Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Uzbekistan's National Holding Company 'Uzbekneftegaz.' A Memorandum of Cooperation between Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Uzbekneftegaz and an MoU for geology and minieral resources between Coal Ministry of India and Uzbekistan's State Committee were also signed.

Karimov said he was aware that energy security was an important part of India's policy and offered his country's cooperation in this field.