Russian President to leave for Agra on Wednesday morning

New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): Visiting Russian President Dmitry A. Medvedev will emplane for Agra at 10: a.m. on Wednesday, and then fly to Mumbai, where he would visit IIT Powai, and also the Film City.

President Medvedev is expected to attend a programme in Agra.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the visit of President Medvedev, who would be in the metropolis tomorrow.

The visiting Russian President earlier this evening met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, who hosted a banquet in his honour.

Prior to this, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi met President Medvedev, and reportedly discussed issues of bilateral importance.

India and Russia today signed 30 crucial deals in several key areas, including nuclear cooperation, defence, pharmaceutical and space technology sectors.

Besides deciding to enhance cooperation in crucial spheres of military, energy sector, science and technology, space research and pharmaceuticals, the two sides also agreed to step up efforts to achieve the target of bilateral trade of USD 20 billion by 2015. The pacts also included Preliminary Design Contract for FGFA envisaging joint design and development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau and Rosoboronexport, Framework Agreement on Cooperation in hydrocarbon sector and MoU for joint research and development in reactor technology and related fields for peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Other agreements pertained to simplification of visa procedure for certain categories, including for businessmen, enhancement of cooperation in oil and gas sector.

MoU for cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, MoU on combating irregular migration and agreement on cooperation in the field of emergency management also signed.

A pact was also signed to set up additional nuclear reactors in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu and developing a fifth generation fighter aircraft.

Dmitry Medvedev, who is on a two-day state visit to India, will fly back to Moscow around 5: 30 p.m. on Wednesday. (ANI)