Russian President Opening India Visit

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (file photo)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to arrive in New Delhi to open a visit to India aimed at deepening Russian ties to the second-fastest growing economy in the world.

Reports say one focus of the visit will be persuading India to renew its relationship with Russian military suppliers by selecting the Russian-made MiG-35 fighter jet for the Indian military.

Reports say the Russian delegation will also seek to deepen cooperation with India in the nuclear field and other sectors, with billions of dollars in defense and nuclear trade deals expected to be signed.

The Kremlin says trade with India will total an estimated $10 billion this year -- well behind Russian trade with the European Union, which is nearly $250 billion, and trade with China, which is nearly $50 billion so far this year, according to official statistics.

Medvedev is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Prathibha Patil on December 21, and visit the city of Mumbai on December 22.

compiled from agency reports