



New Delhi: Strengthening of economic ties with India amidst the global financial meltdown, and inking of a pact on civil nuclear cooperation are topping the agenda of the Russian Dmitry Medvedev, who arrived here on Thursday night, to attend the annual summit between the two countries. Medvedev will be accompanied by deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, who was part of the last official delegation visit in February as part of India's 2008 “Year of Russia” festivities, as agreed upon by then-President Vladimir Putin and Singh more than a year ago. In return, 2009 will be the “Year of India” in Russia.
The Russian leader will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday on a wide spectrum of bilateral, regional and global issues, including civil nuclear cooperation, counter-terrorism and the intensification of economic, energy and defence ties between the two strategic partners who have enjoyed strain-free ties for decades.
A pact on civil nuclear cooperation, that envisages Russia building four additional reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, will be inked Friday in the presence of the two leaders. Also, a wide-ranging protocol on cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, and cultural sectors is also expected to be signed.
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