Russian President to arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday morning

NEW DELHI - The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry A. Medvedev, will be arriving in New Delhi on a two-day visit at 12: 15 a.m. on Tuesday for the 11th India-Russia Summit Meeting.

India and Russia are likely to sign a number of agreements in key areas of defence, civil nuclear cooperation, space and economy during the visit of Russian President beginning tomorrow.

“Both sides are exploring ways to expand cooperation in the important hydrocarbons sector. We are working on developing a roadmap for such cooperation. The energy security interests of India and Russia are very well matched. India is a large consumer of hydrocarbons and Russia is a large producer,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters on Sunday.

“Russia is looking for a assured market, and we for a stable supplier. Therefore, there is a natural synergy in this area between the two sides. Both sides see hydrocarbons as well as civil nuclear energy cooperation as the twin pillars for a long-term strategic energy partnership,” he added.

Prakash further said the cooperation between thee two sides in the field of science and technology covers the full range of activities from basic scientific research to developing frontline technologies including industrial technologies in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and bioinformatics.

“We are currently working on a new integrated long-term cooperation that will outline our collective vision for cooperation in this field in the next decade. The new mandate is for establishing an innovation-based technology partnership. We are also focusing very strongly on further expansion of trade and economic ties which have yet to attain their potential,” he added.

During his two-day visit commenting tomorrow, the Russian President will hold talks with Dr. Manmohan Singh on a range of bilateral and regional matters, including situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, apart from global issues.

“President Medvedev will be accompanied by a very important delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov who is also the co-chair of the India-Russia Joint Economic Commission; Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov; Minister of Education and Science Andrei Fursenko; Minister of Energy Sergei Shmatko; Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Russia Vladimir Churov; Governor of St. Petersburg Ms. Valentina Matvienko; the Ambassador of Russia to India; Members of the Duma or Parliamentarians; Deputy Ministers; senior officials and a large business delegation,” said Vishnu Prakash.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna would call on the visiting dignitary at the Hotel Taj Palace around 9: 40 a.m. on Tuesday, which would be followed by a restricted meeting between visiting Russian President Medvedev and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh around 10: 30 a.m. at Hyderabad House.

Delegation-level talks would be followed by the signing of a number of agreements and a joint press interaction.

Dr. Manmohan Singh would be hosting a private lunch in the honour of the visiting dignitary.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will call on the Russian President later.

President Medvedev will then call on the President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan around 7: 30 p.m. on Tuesday, who would be hosting a banquet in his honour.

The Russian President will emplane for Agra around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, where he is expected to attend a programme. He will then fly to Mumbai, where he would visit IIT Powai, and also the Film City.

Dmitry Medvedev will fly back to Moscow around 5: 30 p.m. on Wednesday. (ANI)