MOSCOW. Nov 6 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said while opening the Russian-Indian meeting that "strategic partnership between Russia and India is a real factor in world politics" and also a firm foundation for Russian-Indian relations.
Putin expressed satisfaction with the fact that meetings with the Indian prime minister and the consultations at the highest level are happening on time, "which is very important for the development of cooperation."
During the meeting, great attention was given to the main problem of today, the fight against terrorism, Putin said. "The positions of Russia and India are practically the same," the president said. He said this will be reflected in the declaration that will be signed following negotiations on Tuesday.
Putin suggested that the meeting between the delegations should be devoted to the development of Russian-Indian economic interaction.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee stressed that both countries "have common geo-strategic interests and want to see a peaceful Asia, which is free from terrorism and extremism."
Vajpayee said that the discussion of a broad range of issues, including those relating to bilateral cooperation and world events, was "very useful and characterized by a high degree of trust."
The Indian prime minister again stressed the great importance of the visit paid by Putin to India last year for the development of Russian-Indian relations. He said that "close, friendly relations with Russia are one of the priorities of India's policy, which all political forces of his country share."
The Indian prime minister also said that during their two-day stay in Russia, he and the Indian delegation had felt "the friendship and love of the Russian people."