Russian President leaves for Moscow after winding up India visit

Mumbai, Dec 22 (ANI): Russian President Dmitry A. Medvedev left for Moscow on Wednesday evening after winding up his two-day state visit to India.

Earlier today, President Medvedev visited IIT Powai, where he interacted with the students at the institute's newly constructed convention centre.

He also met Bollywood actors and directors at Yashraj Studio.

Prior to this, President Medvedev accompanied by a 50-member delegation visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, where he spent around ninety minutes watching the 17th century historical monument.

On Monday evening, Medvedev met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and attended a banquet hosted in his honour.

He also met Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and discussed issues of bilateral, regional and global importance.

India and Russia on Monday 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. (ANI)