From: Deepak Goel

New Delhi, June 3 (UNI) Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces Army General Alexei Fedorovich Maslov arrives here tomorrow on a five-day visit aimed at further enhancing the existing defence cooperation between the two countries.

The visit by a Russian Land Forces Chief to India comes after a gap of almost eight years and assumes special significance in view of the increased military-to-military inter-action between the Armed Forces of the two countries which have had a long-standing defence relationship.

Indo-Russian bilateral relations are historical, multifaceted and based on mutual trust and confidence. Russia has been the major defence equipment supplier to the Indian Armed Forces.

Presently the ongoing defence cooperation encompasses equipment procurement, exchange of delegations, conduct of joint exercises, and joint designing, development and marketing of military equipment.

The first-ever joint airborne exercise between the two Armies was conducted in 2005 in India and the next joint exercise is planned to be conducted in Russia later this year.

During his visit, the Russian Land Forces Commander will meet the Chief of the Army Staff General JJ Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal FH Major, Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt and other senior defence officials.

General Maslov will also visit some important institutions of the Indian Armed Forces.

According to an official spokesperson here, the visit here of the Russian Land Forces Chief was expected to give impetus to the existing bilateral defence cooperation as also further diversify Army-to-Army cooperation in the field of training and exchange of experts in spheres of mutual interest.

UNI