NEW DELHI, April 5: Russia and India will conduct a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean next month, but both countries have clarified that the wargames are not linked to the American war on Iraq, Press Trust of India (PTI) said on Saturday.

“The forthcoming exercise would play a significant role in strengthening the co-operation, trust and mutual understanding between the two naval powers and heightening the level of stability in the zone of Indian Ocean,” PTI quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying in Moscow.

The news agency stressed that the “defence ministry specifically noted that Indo-Russian naval wargames are not linked to the US-led war against Iraq.”

“The agreement to hold joint exercise was reached between the defence ministers of the two countries,” PTI quoted the Russian statement as saying. It was referring to an announcement made by Defence Minister George Fernandes in Moscow after talks with his Russian counterpart in January.

Nine warships and auxiliary vessels of the Russian Pacific and Black Sea Fleets, which are shortly setting sail to the Indian Ocean, are to participate in the joint wargames with the Indian Navy.

However, it was not clear whether wargames scenario would include a nuclear strike or counter-strike, PTI said.

Russia surprised many last month when it tested its Topol intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of striking the United States, when a high-ranking Indian delegation was visiting Moscow.