NEW DELHI: India and Russia held their 15th Annual Summit talks here Thursday with the two sides expected to ink major agreements later in the field of energy, defence and trade.
The talks between Prime Minster Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin are being held at Hyderabad House.
It is the first full-fledged summit between India and Russia after the Modi government took office in May.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "Beginning with smiles. Prime Minister @narendramodi & Prez @KremlinRussia begin annual summit talks in New Delhi."
Putin, who arrived Wednesday night on a 24-hour visit, was welcomed by Modi via Twitter, saying he looked forward to a "productive visit that will take India-Russia ties to newer heights".
Modi tweeted his welcome in Russian and then in English.
He wrote on his official Twitter handle that he is "delighted" to welcome Putin to India.