The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has left on a three-day visit to Russia. In a statement before his departure from New Delhi for Moscow Dr. Singh expressed the confidence that his visit to Russia will be yet another step forward in consolidating cooperation with Russia. It will also reinforce India-Russia strategic partnership as a factor of peace and stability in the evolving international situation. Dr. Singh said the Annual India-Russia Summit is the principal mechanism for the advancement of strategic partnership with Russia. He hoped that at the Summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the status of bilateral cooperation will be reviewed including in the key areas of Defence, Civil Nuclear Energy, Space, Science and Technology and Hydrocarbons. Dr. Singh said that he would also exchange views with the Russian President on key Regional and global issues such as terrorism, recovery of global economy, energy security, climate change, Nuclear disarmament and reform of international institutions. <br/>Dr. Singh and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will jointly attend closing ceremony of the year of India and Russia on Monday evening. <br/>Briefing Media yesterday, the Foreign Secretary Ms.Nirupama Rao said that defence cooperation between India and Russia has been the key element of their relationship and the two sides have moved well beyond buyer-seller relationship. She said, they are now involved in joint production through transfer of relevant technology. Ms. Rao said, India views ties with Russia as an enduring friendship that has stood the test of time. <br/>AIR Correspondent accompanying the Prime Minister, reports that India and Russia are likely to sign a number of agreements to further deepen bilateral defence cooperation.<br/>