New Delhi, Dec 04: Focussing on the threat posed by terrorism including in this region, Russian President Vladimir Putin today stressed that the task of the international community was to "put a hold" on this menace. "Our task is to put a hold to terrorism in the world as a whole and in the regions most sensitive to us," Putin told reporters soon after he was accorded a ceremonial reception accompanied by a 21-gun salute at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Asked what was the single most important objective he hoped to achieve during his visit, Putin said "I don`t need to be here because of one thing. We have a lot of problems to discuss with Indian President, Prime Minister and other leaders".
Putin, who is accompanied by first lady Lyudmila Putin on his three-day state visit, said both India and Russia "are working together on the international scene".
Putin and Vajpayee will sign the Delhi declaration on further strengthening of the strategic partnership between the two countries besides another declaration on expanding cooperation in trade, economic, scientific and technological fields.
The two sides would also sign a host of agreements, including one on cooperation in combating terrorism and boosting economic and scientific ties.
The Russian leader, who will have wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said "we are going to talk about cooperation in military and economic spheres".
Bureau Report