Russian president arrives in India on visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived here Wednesday night for a 24-hour visit, said local media early Thursday morning.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday night welcomed Putin on his arrival in India, saying he looks forward to a " productive visit that will take India-Russia ties to newer heights ", said Indo-Asian News Service.

Saying he is "delighted" to welcome Putin to India, Modi said " the bond between the people of Russia and India is very strong. Our nations have stood by each other through thick and thin".

"Times have changed, our friendship has not. Now, we want to take this relation to the next level and this visit is a step in that direction," he said.

Putin and Modi will hold talks before signing a series of agreement Thursday.

The two countries are set to ink a new vision document taking forward ties to the next level and also ink 15 to 20 agreements from defense, civil nuclear energy, oil cooperation to diamond trade, according to official sources here. Enditem