Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has arrived at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow this evening. He is in Moscow to attend the 12th Indo-Russia Annual Summit tomorrow at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev. Dr. Manmohan Singh was received at the airport by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister A N Borodavkin and given a ceremonial welcome.

Official sources on board the Prime Minister’s aircraft told AIR that besides bilateral talks the Indian and Russian leadership would be exploring new pathways of co-operation in the face of uncertainties in the functioning of the global economy. On international issues there is a convergence and commonality of views between India and Russia.

They agree on revival of the global economy, co-operation within BRICS, the situation in West Asia and North Africa and the challenges in Afghanistan. Sources said that Dr. Manmohan Singh would be holding detailed discussion on these global issues with Russian President Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

On bilateral talks, official sources informed AIR that the strategic and privileged partnership between India and Russia has grown from strength to strength. While there has been important development in the fields of defence, nuclear energy, space, science and technology, there is an immense potential for further development of trade and economic relations which would be tapped during this summit.

India’s relationship with Russia rests on a firm footing and there is a great deal of mutual trust between the two countries which makes it a special privileged strategic partnership.