New Delhi, October 4: Russian President Vladimir Putin met Prime Minister at his official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi on Thursday evening. The two leaders are likely to discuss bilateral ties ahead of 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit on Friday. During the summit both the leaders are likely to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the United States sanctions against Russian defence companies. PM Modi and Putin are expected to have a discussion on key regional and global issues. Both the leaders will also discuss the US sanctions on the import of crude oil from Iran.

Earlier in the evening, the Russian premiere arrived in India to attend the summit. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received him at Palam Air Force Station. During the visit, both India and Russia are likely to conclude long pending S-400 Triumf air defence system deal. A top Kremlin aid on Tuesday confirmed that Putin would himself oversee the signing of the deal.

On Friday, the delegation-level talks will take place at Hyderabad House at 11:30 am after which both the countries both the countries are expected to sign 20 agreements ranging from defence, nuclear energy, space and economy. Later in the day, Putin will interact with children at Central Garden, ITC Maurya, at 2.30 pm and at 3:30 pm, he will address India-Russia Business Summit.

After meeting President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 4.30 pm, he will depart for Russia. Both the countries are also set to conduct counter-terrorism exercise, Indra-2018 from November 18 to 28. India To Go Ahead With S-400 Inspite Of CAATSA; Likely To Convey Its Decision To US In 'One Plus Two' Dialogue

After Japan, Russia is the second country with which India holds annual bilateral summits. The India-Russia bilateral relationship reached new heights. The relation between both the countries was elevated to Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in 2010. In September, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Moscow for the 23rd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Technical and Economic Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) meeting. This visit also paved the way for Putin's upcoming visit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2018 09:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).