Summary Modi praised Putin's leadership, saying he had "elevated the country to a qualitatively new level"
MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit that could see the two countries agree a number of defence and energy deals worth billions of dollars.
Hailing ties with "robust, reliable friend" Russia, Modi praised Putin s leadership, saying he had "elevated the country to a qualitatively new level" despite Moscow s confrontation with West.
Speaking at the start of the talks, Putin for his part said he hoped to discuss the "privileged strategic partnership" of the two countries that are members of the BRICS emerging market nations group.
Russia has for years been a key military supplier for Delhi although the United States last year surpassed it as India s leading defence partner, and trade volume also fell, amounting to just $9.5 billion in 2014.
However India eyes Moscow as a potential partner for infrastructure projects as the Modi government seeks to overhaul the country s railway network and build nuclear energy plants as part of the Make in India foreign investment drive.
Putin s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin expected the talks between Putin and Modi to help ease the visa regime between their two countries.
The two leaders will also oversee the signing of agreements by Russia s state nuclear corporation Rosatom and railway monopoly Russian Railways, Peskov added without providing further details.
Ahead of the talks officials declined to discuss possible defence deals expected to be signed in Moscow, although media reported the two countries would be discussing some $7 billion worth of contracts on Thursday.
