Moscow: President Pratibha Patil arrived
here on Wednesday on her maiden visit to Russia, seeking to
consolidate the relations between the "close friends and
partners" in the changed global geo-political situation.
She will also travel to Tajikistan during her week-long
two-nation tour.
Patil, who is leading a large delegation including
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, was accorded a ceremonial
welcome at the airport.
During her four-day stay in Russia, she will hold talks
with President Dmitry Medvedev on a wide range of bilateral,
regional and global issues. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will
also meet her.
Ahead of her visit, Patil said India "is committed to
develop relations of close and large-scale bilateral
cooperation and partnership with Russia."
In an interview to Russian news agency Itar-Tass, she
underlined that "despite the serious situation and changes
that emerged over the past decades in the global geo-political
situation, India and Russia remain close friends and partners,
while our desire to consolidate our relations are constantly
confirmed at top political level."
Bureau Report
