Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that the strategic partnership between India and Russia is set to evolve a mechanism for long term measures for the protection of the interests of both the countries.
Talking to newsmen at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome on the first leg of his four-day state visit, the Russian president said the focus of his discussion with the Indian leaders would be on continuation of multilateral efforts towards international security and combating terrorism. Mr Putin, who is leading a 70-member high powered delegation to India which includes Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev, was received at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President K R Narayanan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his senior ministerial colleagues.
India and Russia will sign as many as ten agreements including the strategic partnership treaty and setting up of an inter-ministerial committee on defence to give a boost to bilateral cooperation during Mr Putin's visit.
Bureau Report