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Putin, Modi to hold talks in Delhi, boost bilateral ties
December 11, 2014, 7:06 am

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in an official visit to India on 10 December 2014 [PPIO]

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived on an official visit to India on 10 December 2014 [PPIO]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in an official visit to India, will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday in New Delhi to boost ties between the two BRICS members.

“The leaders plan to discuss issues of further strengthening multidimensional cooperation, and look at current issues on the international agenda. Many bilateral agreements are expected to be signed as a result of the visit,” said a Kremlin statement.

More than 20 agreements will be inked by the two sides during Putin’s visit, including an agreement on “Expanded Cooperation in the Oil and Gas Industry”, a deal between the “Russian and Indian Defence Ministries on the Safety of Flights”, and an agreement on atomic energy.

The two sides will also discuss increased cooperation in space, defence and nuclear projects, said a Kremlin statement.

The leadership of the two countries will also discuss India’s membership bid in the regional security bloc, the China-Russia-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization and a possible FTA agreement with the Moscow-led Customs Union bloc.

Putin, beleaguered by economic and political sanctions against Russia imposed by the US and its allies, will also meet Indian and Russian business leaders in the Indian capital and speak at the opening of the World Diamond Conference.

Before landing in New Delhi, Putin said he would push for an upgrade of the energy partnership between Russia and India.

“We look forward to discussing specific steps aimed at strengthening the privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India. We will devote particular attention to expanding trade and economic links and boosting mutual investments,” Putin told Indian news agency PTI on Tuesday.

Putin said Moscow could build up to 25 nuclear power-generating units in India.

Following talks with Modi, Putin will also meet the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and the chief of the Indian National Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, said Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

Russia-India bilateral trade reached $10 billion in 2013.

 

TBP