New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left Sunday on a two-day visit to Russia that he said would deepen ties between the two countries that have endured for the last six decades.
During the visit, the two countries are expected to sign several agreements including one on jointly producing a transport aircraft.
National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon are accompanying Manmohan Singh.
Officials here say the visit is aimed at reassuring Russia that relations that bind New Delhi and Moscow are “unique and special” and remain relevant even amid the rapidly changing global situation.
The prime minister reinforced this in a statement he made before his departure.
“I am convinced that the strong fundamentals of mutual trust and a shared world view on regional and global issues would continue to bring our two countries closer together in a dynamic international environment,” he said.
On Monday, Manmohan Singh will hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a range of bilateral and global issues including civil nuclear cooperation, business ties, UN reforms, and the situation in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The two countries are expected to sign agreements on resolving the rupee-rouble trade issues, preventing drug trafficking and trans-national crime, and boosting space cooperation.
A bilateral agreement that will enable Russia to build four additional power reactors at the Kudankulam plant in Tamil Nadu may also be signed.
In his statement, Manmohan Singh said that India and Russia were committed to deepening their partnership.
“As we rejoice in our joint accomplishments during the six decades of unbroken friendship, we also stand committed to further deepen our partnership in the fields of trade and investment, defence, energy security, science and technology, space and other areas of mutual benefit,” he said.
Noting that the India-Russia strategic partnership is “an enduring bond of friendship, which has strong historical roots”, Manmohan Singh India’s relations with Russia “have traditionally been a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond.
“Our multifaceted bilateral cooperation with Russia is based on long-term interests.”
Ever since Putin’s first visit to India in 2000, “the practice of holding annual summits has led to the progressive consolidation of our relations and maintained the momentum of our very close high level contacts”, he said.
“I look forward to continuing my discussions with President Putin to further strengthen India’s relations with Russia. I will convey to him the high priority that India attaches to its partnership with Russia, and the benefits that this partnership has brought to our two peoples.
“I am confident that my visit will lead to a reaffirmation of our joint endeavour towards creating greater economic prosperity and a secure, stable and peaceful world order,” Manmohan Singh added.