Amid a chill in bilateral relations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] arrived in Moscow [Images] on Sunday with a hope of further deepening ties in energy, defence and other key areas.

Though there are signs of a strain in relations between the traditional friends, the Indian side on Sunday maintained all was well between the two countries.

Setting a positive tone for his two-day trip, Dr Singh said India attaches 'high priority' to its ties with Russia [Images] and the visit will seek to build upon the 'enduring bond of friendship' based on strong fundamentals.

During the visit for the annual Summit, Dr Singh will hold talks with President Vladimir Putin [Images] on a wide range of issues with an aim of fostering closer ties.

'I will convey to him (Putin) the high priority that India attaches to its partnership with Russia and the benefits that this partnership has brought to our two peoples,' Dr Singh said in pre-departure statement in New Delhi.

Dr Singh, who was received at the airport by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov, said India is committed to further deepen its partnership with Russia in the field of trade and investment, defence, energy security, science and technology and other areas of mutual interest.

Observing that India's relations with Russia have traditionally been a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond, Dr Singh said he was convinced that the strong fundamentals of mutual trust and shared world view on regional and global issues will continue to bring the two countries closer in a dynamic international environment.

'Our multi-faceted bilateral operations with Russia are based on long-term interests,' he said.

The prime minister said the annual Indo-Russian summit since Putin's first visit to India in 2000 has led to the progressive consolidation of bilateral relations and maintained the momentum of very close high-level contacts. He expressed confidence that his visit will lead to reaffirmation of the joint endeavour towards creating greater economic prosperity and a secure and stable peaceful world order.

Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inspects the honour guard on his arrival at the government airport Vnukovo II, outside Moscow.
Reportage: PTI | Photograph: Maximarmur/AFP/Getty Images