India committed to boosting ties with Russia

INDIA, Indian Premier Manmohan Singh vowed to push for closer ties with Moscow as he left Sunday for a two-day visit to Russia to discuss trade and arms deals with President Vladimir Putin.

"I will convey to him (Putin) the high priority that India attaches to its partnership with Russia and the benefits that this partnership has brought to our two peoples," Singh said in a statement before his departure.

"Our multi-faceted bilateral operations with Russia are based on long-term interests," Singh said.

Singh and Putin were expected to sign deals to build four more Russian nuclear reactors in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and to jointly produce a fighter jet.

New Delhi, Monday, AFP