Indian PM meets Putin for talks

Russia and India are old Cold War allies

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held talks in Moscow.

The meeting came on the sidelines of an event in the Russian capital marking the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

Mr Putin said he hoped trade ties could increase. Defence and energy issues were also on the agenda.

Russia and India are old Cold War allies, with Moscow now helping Delhi to develop nuclear reactors.

Investments

India's ambassador to Moscow, Kanwal Sibal, was quoted by The Hindu newspaper as saying that India was planning investments worth a "few billion dollars" in Russia's energy sector.

India and Russia have already decided to work together in a series of energy deals, part of a pact which could see India invest up to $20bn in oil and gas projects.

India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council was also expected to feature prominently in the talks between the two leaders.

Mr Putin visited Delhi in December.

The sides then signed a joint declaration on a strategic partnership and agreed deals on enhancing people to people contacts and bilateral trade.

Mr Singh, who arrived on Sunday on a three-day visit, is among 56 heads of state or government who are participating in the Moscow commemorations.