Manmohan invites Putin and Zubkov to visit India

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov to visit India, as both countries are celebrating 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them.

By Smita Prakash

Moscow, Nov 12 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov to visit India, as both countries are celebrating 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them.

During the two-hour long meeting with Putin, which has been termed as 'very warm', Singh discussed various issues with him, including the recent developments in Pakistan and situation prevailing in India's neighbourhood.

The two leaders have been meeting regularly at different international fora, besides the annual Summit level talks. This is Manmohan Singh's fourth visit to Russia as the Prime Minister of India.

Putin had visited New Delhi in January this year, where he was the guest of honour for the Republic Day parade, a first by the Russian Head of the State.

Close to half a dozen agreements were signed between the two countries during Putin's visit to India in January that included a Memorandum of Intent on Russia's assistance in the construction of additional nuclear power plant units at Kudankulam site.

Singh today also met Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov in Moscow.

Singh later said that he had a 'useful' meeting with Zubkov, and they exchanged views on various issues that were 'productive'.

He invited Zubkov to visit India as New Delhi prepares itself to celebrate "Year of Russia in India" in 2008, which will be followed by Moscow celebrating "Year of India in Russia" in 2009.

ANI