India and Russia have decided to firm up two major pacts – on nuclear energy and a fifth generation fighter plane – in time for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit in March. They also resolved to step up trade ties and develop closer cooperation in the energy sector.<br/><br/>The outcome came during meetings between visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister and India point man Sergei Sobyanin with Union Ministers S.M. Krishna, Anand Sharma, Murli Deora, A.K. Antony besides National Security Advisor Shiv Shanker Menon and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.K. Nair in the last two days. A Russian Embassy statement said Mr. Sobyanin also called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and gave an overview of Russia’s perspective of bilateral relations with India. The discussions with Dr. Singh and members of his Cabinet were aimed at preparing for Mr. Putin’s forthcoming mid-March official visit.