Manmohan Singh arrives in Moscow for 12th Indo-Russian Annual Summit

Moscow, Dec 15 (ANI): Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived here on Thursday to participate in the 12th Indo-Russian Annual Summit 2011.

Dr. Singh is on a two-day visit to the Russian capital.

Earlier in a statement that his office had released before his departure for Moscow, Dr. Singh said India's bilateral cooperation with Russia is based on long-term interests, and the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow is an enduring bond of friendship, which has strong historical roots.

"Our bilateral relations with Russia are based on mutual trust, friendship and shared interests. Our relations encompass diverse sectors including nuclear energy, defence, space, science and technology, hydrocarbons, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges," said Dr. Singh.

"I will discuss mechanisms to further expand our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the trade, economic and commercial fields," he added.

Emphasising that the practice of Annual Summits between India and Russia over the last decade has provided a tremendous impetus to a relationship that is steeped in tradition and history, Dr. Singh said: " Today, we enjoy a special and privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia. The Summits have focused high-level attention on follow-up to the decisions that are taken and on charting new vistas for cooperation. This year's Annual Summit takes place against the backdrop of a complex international environment."

"I look forward to an in -depth exchange of views with the Russian leadership on the crisis facing the global economy and the political developments in our extended neighbourhood, including West Asia, the Gulf and Afghanistan and the impact of all this on peace and stability in the world. The perspectives of our countries on these developments are marked by a high degree of convergence," he added.

Dr. Singh further said that during his visit, he will discuss with President Medvedev how to further enhance our consultations in international forums like the United Nations Security Council, G 20, BRICS as well as the East Asia Summit which Russia has recently joined.

"I also look forward to meeting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during my visit. He has played a key role in the development of our Strategic Partnership, and has been the architect of our contemporary relationship. I will review with him the progress we have made in our relations since his visit to India in March 2010," he added.

Asserting that there is enormous mutual goodwill between both countries for each other, Dr. Singh said: " Both countries recognize the significant mutual benefit we derive from working together."

"I will utilize my visit to further expand our bilateral cooperation and further consolidate our coordination on regional and global issues. This is in our national interest and in the interest of global peace and prosperity," he added. (ANI)