Prime Minister looks to deepen ties with Russia

Before leaving for Moscow to take the already close strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher trajectory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the trip will deepen bilateral cooperation in economic, energy and security spheres. Setting the tone for the visit, the Prime Minister said he was “very optimistic” about outcomes of the annual summit talks with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (today). “Our relation with Russia is unique, covering almost every field of human endeavour,” said Modi. The “time-tested” partners are likely to ink a number of pacts in a range of sectors, including nuclear energy and defence, after the 16th summit talks between the two countries at the highest level which have been taking place alternately in Moscow and New Delhi since 2000.