India, Russia likely to ink 18 pacts during Putin's Goa visit

New Delhi : India and Russia are likely to ink 18 pacts when Russian President Vladimir lands in Goa on Saturday for 17th India-Russia annual summit meet.

Defence and nuclear cooperation will again be the leading topics of discussion while Putin will inaugurate the third and fourth units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

In Moscow, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov has been quoted saying that cooperation in nuclear energy will be one of the central themes of the engagement.

Putin himself said in an interview to an Indian news agency that Russia remained in the lead in terms of both direct supplies of most advanced weapons and military equipment and conducting joint exercises with India "as well as producing goods for military purposes".

"Our countries actively collaborate in the military technical field," Putin said, as he described India as Russia's especially privileged strategic partner.

India and Russia Summit will take place on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in Goa.

Highlights:

# India and Russia likely to sign 18 pacts during 17th India-Russia annual summit meet

# Defence and nuclear cooperation are high on agenda during the meet

# Vladimir Putin is likely to inaugurate third and fourth units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant

# Russian President will land in Goa on Saturday

# India-Russia annual Summit to be held on the sidelines of BRICS summit.