Following a technical snag but both the pilot and weapons systems operator ejected safely.
Official sources said the two leaders will meet for around four to six hours for the 'agendaless' talks
Rediff reader Navneet, 30 from Vadodara tells us how he lost 15 kg with the right diet and exercise.
Tillerson, is currently on top of the list of Trump's Secretary of State because of his contacts with the world leaders, in particular Russian President Vladimir Putin, media reports said.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation R S Sharma are planning a visit to Russia in the first week of next month, hoping the Russian government would give its assent for the proposed acquisition of UK-listed Imperial Energy.
'The change of vocabulary in the India-US conversation was significant and refreshing.' 'It matched the styles of Trump and Modi.' 'The differences were not papered over, but there was determination to resolve them in the days ahead,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
The move comes days after the Indian Navy also warned of a possible terror attack from the sea side.
Many of the stories, the pictures going out of India worldwide lately with these provocative processions, taunting of Muslims, bulldozers targeting mostly their properties, the sweeping 'othering' of a community of 200 million are painting the front pages and TV screens in the democratic world. That is where most of the friends we covet lie. Soon enough, these will also make our vital friends among the Muslim nations, from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, uneasy. The best time for course correction is now, asserts Shekhar Gupta.
Trump said if 'you don't have dialogue (with Russia), you have to be fools'.
The value of the stake is not immediately known but ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) -- the overseas investment arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation -- is likely to pay an initial $300 million for drilling operations. Russian company Rosneft, which owns 70 per cent in the project, will be offloading its stake to OVL if the deal goes through. The remaining 30 per cent stake is held by China National Petroleum Corporation.
In his pre-departure statement, he said trade ties between India and Russia can increase even further, to benefit not only the two nations but also the world.
ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas investment arm of India's largest oil producer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, has bought UK-based Imperial Energy, which has oil producing assets in Russia, at a valuation of $3 per barrel of oil reserves
Deals will cover oil exploration and supply, infrastructure and an increase in direct diamond sales to India
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi late on Friday night for annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday that is aimed at building on the already close strategic ties, particularly in the fields of nuclear energy, hydrocarbons and defence.
The last three prime ministers who served full terms started out in their early 70s. Mr Modi is younger and fitter than all of them. But he needs to find it in him to change course if he is to beat the odds, notes T N Ninan.
After its spat with India over the oil exploration in blocs claimed by Vietnam in the disputed South China Sea, China on Tuesday asked Russia to stay away from taking up similar operation at the invitation of Hanoi.
During his two day visit, Modi is expected to seal a raft of major deals in defence, nuclear energy and hydrocarbons sectors to further cement their 'special and privileged strategic ties'.
'Surely, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will not be able to pay or compensate the Russians for deployment and use of Russian men and equipment,' says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).
China had financed the acquisition of embattled Yukos' core asset Yuganskneftegaz by Russia's state-owned 'Rosneft' oil last month in return of oil supplies till 2010, a senior Russian official said.
'The fact that Modi and Xi exuded confidence to accelerate the negotiations for a border settlement alone underscores that the Russia-India-China triangle has become very dynamic,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further boost cooperation between the two strategic partners in crucial sectors like defence, energy and trade at a time when Russian economy was facing Western sanctions.
The breakthrough phone call by Putin to Erdogan came after the Turkish strongman on Monday sent a letter to the Kremlin leader that Moscow said contained an apology.
China on Thursday denied providing any fund for the controversial purchase of Russia's oil giant Yukos but declined to give more information on the mystery deal.
'India needs offensive and defensive security measures to protect itself.'
The Sensex had bounced back with gains of 94 points or 0.3%
We bring you a presentation of the best photos in the last 24 hours from around the world.
Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will take up Oil and Natural Gas Corp's proposal to acquire 15-20 per cent stake in embattled Russian firm Yukos' core asset, Yuganskneftegaz, when he meets his Russian counterpart in Moscow on February 21.
State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp has bid for Russia's Trebs and Titov oilfields and is pitted against local giant LukOil and a venture owned by energy major BP Plc for rights to develop the giant reserves.
Politicians, bureaucrats hold different opinions about the delaying of the 2+2 summit.
Any form of entanglement with India or the US on the strategic plane will be anathema to Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa rulers, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Geopolitical climate and equity markets as supportive for gold's role as a risk hedge.
Acknowledging that the trial against oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky had lowered trust in Russian economy, Moscow on Wednesday said the Yukos case was a "serious lesson", which should never be repeated.
Tillerson, 64, who was confirmed by the Senate in a 56-43 vote, was administered the oath of office by Vice President Mike Pence.
The reimposition of sanctions on Iran will have major impact on countries like India, with which it has traditional and historic trade relationship.
The United States and European Union have slapped tougher and "wide-ranging" sanctions on Russia, targeting its energy, finance and defence sectors for its continued support of separatists in Ukraine.
His remarks without naming any country came against the backdrop of tension between India and Pakistan after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
Trump asserted that he would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders, unlike President Obama.
"We are committed to building a new India. We have to do this as early as possible," he said.
Srikanth Kondapalli on what to expect from the seventh BRICS summit meeting to be held in Russia in July.