Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India Thursday for the two-day annual India-Russia bilateral summit in which official talks will be held with Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi today.
India and Russia are likely to sign over 20 key pacts in areas ranging from defence, nuclear energy, space and economy. One of the most anticipated outcomes of the summit is the joint India-Russia counter-terrorism exercise, Indra-2018, set to be held between November 18 and 28 and the $5 billion S-400 air defence systems deal to be signed.
The Prime Minister hosted a private dinner for the Russian president at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Thursday night, and both leaders talked about a host of issues including bilateral cooperation and strategic issues.
In a tweet, Modi stated that their deliberations would ‘further enhance Indian-Russian friendship.’
Добро пожаловать в Индию, президент Путин! Желаю Вам плодотворного пребывания в Индии. С нетерпением жду наших переговоров, которые несомненно укрепят дружбу между Индией и Россией. @KremlinRussia pic.twitter.com/cEW4y8sDJr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 4, 2018
“Welcome to India, President Putin. Looking forward to our deliberations, which will further enhance India-Russia friendship,” the tweet read.
The 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit will take place today during which Modi and Putin are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors, PTI reported. The two leaders are also likely to deliberate on key regional and global issues, including US sanctions on import of Iranian crude oil. The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system agreement, with a top Kremlin aide saying Tuesday that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the USD 5 billion deal.
