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India PM Narendra Modi to begin key Russia visit India PM Narendra Modi to focus on defence in talks with Putin
(1 day later)
Indian PM Narendra Modi will arrive in Moscow at the start of a two-day visit during which he will hold annual talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indian PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold talks, with a firm focus on defence and nuclear energy co-operation
The two leaders are expected to sign energy and defence agreements. Mr Modi began his two-day visit on Wednesday with a private dinner with Mr Putin.
Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at $10bn (£6.74bn). Russia is India's second largest defence supplier. These talks have been held annually since 2000 and hosted alternately between Moscow and Delhi.
Russia and India were close allies during the Cold War but in recent years the relationship has been more complex. Russia and India were close allies during the Cold War, but recently the relationship has become more complex.
Earlier this year, India was reported to be upset with Russia for selling attack helicopters to Pakistan and Russia was unhappy with India for choosing French Rafale fighters and American Apache attack helicopters over Moscow's defence products. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at $10bn (£6.74bn) and Russia is India's second largest defence supplier.
The talks between the two countries at the highest level have been taking place alternately in Moscow and Delhi since 2000. But earlier this year, India was reported to be displeased with Russia for selling attack helicopters to Pakistan and Russia was unhappy with India for choosing French Rafale fighters and American Apache attack helicopters over Moscow's defence products.
"My visit will deepen the cooperation between India and Russia in the economic, energy and security spheres. We also want to increase cooperation in science and technology, mining among other sectors," Mr Modi said in a statement ahead of his visit. Mr Modi's visit is seen as a chance to work on the personal chemistry between the two leaders, and to reset relations between their countries, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow.
"Trade ties between India and Russia can increase even further, to benefit not only our two nations but also the world." India has become an even more important market for Russia since the West imposed economic sanctions, our correspondent says, adding that Moscow is looking to sell India its sophisticated S400 anti-aircraft systems.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said expanding economic ties would be a "very big priority" as the two countries were aiming at trebling bilateral trade over the next 10 years. A deal to manufacture military helicopters and build further nuclear power plants in India could also be signed.
"We expect to sign a number of agreements covering a very broad range of fields. Final touches are being given on some of them," he said. Last year, Russia announced it would help India build at least 10 more nuclear reactors. It has already built in a nuclear reactor in Tamil Nadu state.
Mr Jaishankar added that the two leaders would look at enhancing cooperation in defence and nuclear energy.
Last year, Russia announced it would help India build at least 10 more nuclear reactors.
The two countries have outlined an "ambitious vision" for nuclear energy and agreed that the new reactors would be built over the next 20 years.The two countries have outlined an "ambitious vision" for nuclear energy and agreed that the new reactors would be built over the next 20 years.