By RIA Novosti
New Delhi : Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov begins a three-day working visit to India on February 11 to discuss measures to expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
During his visit, Zubkov is to meet with his counterpart Manmohan Singh. Meetings are also planned with Indian President Pratibha Patil and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Zubkov is heading a business delegation due to participate in the second Russia-Indian trade and investment forum on February 12-13. The delegation includes Economic Development and Trade Minister Elvira Nabiullina and the head of Rosatom nuclear corporation, Sergei Kiriyenko.
Bilateral trade between Russia and India is currently at an annual level of $5-6 billion. Both countries are seeking to increase this to $10 billion.
The plans have been held back by Russia’s recent ban on the import of Indian plants, including sesame, nuts and rice, with Indian tea, coffee and spices allowed only through the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions in northwest Russia.
Russia and India have agreed to lift an embargo on the import of tobacco and vegetable mixes from February 6.
The two countries also intend to sign an agreement on cooperation between customs and archival bodies during Zubkov’s visit.
The Russian premier is also set to take part in a ceremony to mark the opening of offices of Russia’s VTB bank and the investment group AFK Sistema. Russia’s flagship air carrier Aeroflot and India’s Kingfisher Airlines Limited are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding during Zubkov’s visit.
Zubkov is also set to attend a concert dedicated to the Year of Russia in India. The Russian premier noted during an interview with Indian media that Russia and India could improve their understanding of each other’s cultures and that he was sure that the Year of India in Russia would do much to rectify this problem.