PM Modi leaves for Russia on two-day visit
Reports said Modi also has on his agenda signing big defence deals, expanding economic ties and talks on terrorism.
On Wednesday evening, President Putin will host PM Modi for dinner in Moscow.The two leaders will hold talks on Thursday.
After their meeting, they are expected to sign key agreements on defence and nuclear energy. "I am very optimistic about the outcome of this visit," PM Modi said, hours before leaving for Russia.
On Thursday, PM Modi will also address about 3,000 members of the Indian community at Expocentre in Moscow.
A day before his departure, on Tuesday, PM Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security which is understood to have cleared at least two deals that are likely to be signed during his Russia trip.
PM Modi and President Putin will also discuss the situation in Syria and ways to tackle terrorism.
Modi visits Russia at the invitation of Putin.
This will be his first official bilateral visit to Moscow.
"At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi will pay his first official bilateral visit to Moscow from 23-24 December 2015 for the 16th India-Russia Annual Summit," MEA said in a statement.
"At the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin will review the relationship between India and Russia to strengthen it further and hold discussions on regional and global issues," it said.
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