New Delhi, August 31: President Pratibha Patil leaves Wednesday on a week-long visit to Russia and Tajikistan that is set to boost India’s time-tested relations with Moscow and the energy-rich Central Asian republic.
Patil will be accompanied by Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, two members of parliament and senior officials.
“India’s relationship with Russia is a partnership based on mutual trust, friendship and all-round cooperation,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters ahead of the president’s visit.
The visit would further consolidate the “deep and abiding” friendship and strategic ties between the two countries in areas ranging from defence, to nuclear energy to space, she said.
The two countries shared a common interest in pursuing peace and stability in the 21st century, she said.
During her four-day visit to Moscow, Patil will meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and discuss issues relating to the multi-faceted strategic ties between the two countries.
She will attend a gala concert in Moscow that marks the year-long celebrations of the ‘Year of India’ in Russia.
Patil will head to Tajikistan Sept 6 for the first visit by an Indian president to the energy-rich Central Asian country.
She would be the guest of honour at the National Day celebrations, the first time Tajikistan has accorded such an honour to a foreign dignitary.
Economic and energy related agreements are expected to be signed during the visit.
–Agencies