Ahead of PM's visit, India, Russia hold talks

New Delhi, Nov 9 : Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Russia next month, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin Monday held talks with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on a host of issues, ranging from civil nuclear energy and defence ties to trade and terrorism.

Sobyanin, who arrived here on a four-day visit Sunday, co-chaired the meeting of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC) with Krishna.

The two sides decided to give a fresh impetus to sluggish trade ties that remain much below potential despite strong political ties between them.

The Indian side pressed for a streamlined visa regime, specially fast-track processing of business visas that could be a key factor in spurring bilateral trade from $7 billion to $20 billion by 2015.

They discussed an entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including expanding civil nuclear cooperation, new defence deals and prospects of greater Indian stakes in Russia's hydrocarbon sector.

The volatile situation in violence-torn Afghanistan and the common threat of extremism in the region also figured prominently in the discussions, official sources said.

Sobyanin will call on Manmohan Singh later in the day.

Manmohan Singh heads for Russia early December for a two-day visit to hold the annual summit meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Two military pacts, including a 10-year deal on weapons, aircraft and maintenance contracts estimated to be around $5 billion, are expected to be signed during the prime minister's visit.

The pacts were agreed during Defence Minister A.K. Antony's visit to Moscow last month.

--IANS