Russia Prez Putin arrives on two-day visit to India

New Delhi, Jan 25: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived here today on a two-day visit for discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a host of issues, including boosting cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, defence and trade ties.

Mr Putin, who is heading a high-level delegation, will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow.

The Russian President will have a hectic day ahead today with talks with the Prime Minister which will be followed by signing of about 10 agreements between the two countries.

Later in the day, Mr Putin will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also call on the visiting dignitary. The Russian President is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister. The decades-long friendship between India and Russia is set for an upward swing following Mr Putin's visit and his discussions with Indian leaders for enhancing cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and the trade and defence sectors.

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 the 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, yesterday held talks with Defence Minister A K Antony.

The two countries yesterday 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.

The two countries will also chart out a course for enhanced cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and space fields, including development and launch of satellites like Global Navigational Satellite System (GLONASS).

In the energy sector, the two countries will also explore the possibility for exploration in third countries.

The Indo-US nuclear cooperation will also figure during the discussions including on more reactors for Kudunkulum.

''In principle, there is an understanding on three more reactors for Kudunkulum,'' the officials had said.

Discussions will also centre around oil and gas exploration and the two countries are looking at the whole range of energy solutions, not just Sakhalin-3.

Russia is considering introducing five-year business visas for Indian entrepreneurs and raise bilateral trade from 2.75 billion US Dollars to 10 billion by 2010.

Russia is also creating four economic zones in Moscow, St Petersburg.

Officials at the Russian embassy said here yesterday that Indian entrepreneurs would be invited to participate in the 11th International Economic Forum at St Petersburg in July where focus would be on BRIC (Brazil, Russia, China India) countries, with a separate session on India.

UNI