Brics summit in Goa: Modi, Putin begin bilateral talks as part of annual India-Russia meet

Benaulim: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday began a closed-door bilateral meeting ahead of Brics heads of states meet in Goa. The two leaders are meeting as part of the annual India-Russia summit following which the two countries are expected to sign key defence, energy and agriculture-related business deals. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Modi and Putin “will discuss on a range of issues including defence, counter-terrorism”. [caption id=“attachment_3003500” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption] Earlier, Putin arrived at the Dabolim airport to a red carpet welcome after which Modi, on Twitter, greeted the Russian President saying: “India welcomes you, President Putin! Wishing you a fruitful visit.” Top bureaucrats from the Russian defence, energy, trade and industries ministries are accompanying the President. Modi and Putin via video conference will also participate in foundation-laying ceremony of the third and fourth power units at the Kundakulam nuclear power plant. The two leaders are expected to hold discussions over lunch and issue a formal statement to the media following the summit. Talks between India and Russia for setting up units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) are also expected to culminate into a general framework agreement. This could be announced after talks Modi-Putin. An official of the Russian atomic energy corporation Rosatom, the builders of KNPP, told IANS on Friday that negotiations for units 5 and 6 had been expedited so that an announcement could be made during the Brics leaders summit in Goa on 15-16 October.