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Kremlin announces dates for Putin's India visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign several accords, including a declaration of strategic partnership between India and Russia, during his visit to New Delhi from October 2 to 5, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.

'The forthcoming state visit of the president of the Russian federation to India will be a major event in the development of traditional Russian-Indian co-operation and would contribute in strengthening global and regional stability,' the Kremlin press service said, formally announcing the dates for Putin's visit.

Putin is likely to sign agreements on co-operation in defence, nuclear energy, civil aviation, culture, education and agriculture, the Kremlin said.

Russian Vice-Premier Iliya Klebanov is currently on a three-day tour to India to prepare for the Indo-Russian summit. "We are preparing to sign, during the president's visit, an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and various issues related to the same," Klebanov told the media after a meeting with Information Technology Minister Pramod Mahajan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

During his stay, Klebanov is expected to call on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Defence Minister George Fernandes and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra to clear bilateral agreements that would be signed during Putin's visit.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Putin coming to India on October 2
Russia backs India for Security Council seat
Security, economic issues to top Jaswant's Moscow agenda
Fernandes to visit Russia, strengthen defence ties
Jaswant to visit Russia in June: AFP

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