Indian president starts first state visit to Russia

MOSCOW, Sunday (AFP)

Indian President Abdul Kalam arrived here Sunday for the first visit to Moscow by an Indian president since the Soviet collapse, with weapons projects expected to be high on the agenda.

The state visit from Monday to Wednesday is due to include talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials, before Kalam flies to Switzerland, Iceland and Ukraine.

Russia meets 70 percent of India's weapons requirements.

Kalam, the architect of India's nuclear missile development programme, is also due to receive an honorary degree from the Russian Academy of Sciences and to speak to students at the prestigious Moscow State University.

On Wednesday, he will visit Russia's second city Saint Petersburg and visit the Hermitage museum.