On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] met the Russian President Vladimir Putin [Images] at Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New York on Thursday.

During the meeting, the Russian president appreciated India's deal with the United States on civilian nuclear energy and the movement towards cooperation in relaxation of rules of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which it is a member.

On his part, Dr Singh thanked Russia [Images] for its support to India's case for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, its participation in the ITER project and in getting membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Group.

Dr Singh will visit Moscow [Images] in December for the annual summit.

Complete coverage: Prime Minister at the UN

Photograph: Paresh Gandhi