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New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) The decades-long friendship between India and Russia is set for an upward swing following the two-day visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin here from tomorrow and his discussions with Indian leaders for enhancing cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and trade and Defence sectors.

The Russian President who will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade, will hold discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh immediately after his arrival here tomorrow.

He will not be given any ceremonial reception, that is normally the practice because it is not a State visit, officials said. He will also not visit Rajghat.

The two countries will sign a host of agreements including one on cultural cooperation for 2007-2009 and a Protocol on celebrating the year of India in Russia and vice versa. Besides, space-related agreenments will also be signed.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, who arrived here ahead of the Presidential visit, held talks with Defence Minister A K Antony.

The two countries today signed agreements on licensed production of aircraft engines, supply of more fighters and helicopters and to chart a course for military-technical cooperation beyond 2010.

The two sides also signed a Protocol on joint design and manufacture of a medium-sized transport plane, while agreeing to finalise plans for joint design and production of a fifth-generation fighter.

The agreements were signed by Mr Antony and Mr Ivanov after the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation.

A deal for procurement of 40 additional Sukhoi-30 MKI and 80 Mi-171V helicopters from Russia was also signed. Russia has also offered India more T-90 tanks.

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