<p>India and Russia held their 15th Annual Summit talks here Thursday with the two sides expected to ink major agreements later in the field of energy, defence and trade.<br /><br />The talks between Prime Minster Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin are being held at Hyderabad House. </p>.<p>It is the first full-fledged summit between India and Russia after the Modi government took office in May.<br /><br />External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "Beginning with smiles. Prime Minister @narendramodi & Prez @KremlinRussia begin annual summit talks in New Delhi." <br /><br />Putin, who arrived Wednesday night on a 24-hour visit, was welcomed by Modi via Twitter, saying he looked forward to a "productive visit that will take India-Russia ties to newer heights".<br /><br />Modi tweeted his welcome in Russian and then in English.<br /><br />He wrote on his official Twitter handle that he is "delighted" to welcome Putin to India.<br />Modi said, "The bond between the people of Russia and India is very strong. Our nations <br />have stood by each other through thick and thin".</p>.<p>"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," Modi wrote.<br /><br />The summit talks are alternatively hosted by Moscow and New Delhi. <br /><br />Last year the talks were held in Moscow in October and attended by then prime minister Manmohan Singh.<br /><br />Putin's visit comes at a time when the Russian economy is buffeted by Western economic sanctions over Ukraine and falling oil prices that has led to a sharp tumble of the rouble.<br /><br />India has already laid the ground for taking forward the ties by stating clearly that it "cannot be party" to any economic sanctions against its old friend.<br /><br />After the delegation level talks, both sides are to witness the inking of agreements and there will be press statements by both the leaders.<br /><br />Putin, who brought along with him a 15-member team of top business honchos, will attend an interaction with CEOs at the same venue.<br /><br />He will then inaugurate the World Diamond Conference at Vigyan Bhavan, and later meet President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening before leaving for home at night.</p>
<p>India and Russia held their 15th Annual Summit talks here Thursday with the two sides expected to ink major agreements later in the field of energy, defence and trade.<br /><br />The talks between Prime Minster Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin are being held at Hyderabad House. </p>.<p>It is the first full-fledged summit between India and Russia after the Modi government took office in May.<br /><br />External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "Beginning with smiles. Prime Minister @narendramodi & Prez @KremlinRussia begin annual summit talks in New Delhi." <br /><br />Putin, who arrived Wednesday night on a 24-hour visit, was welcomed by Modi via Twitter, saying he looked forward to a "productive visit that will take India-Russia ties to newer heights".<br /><br />Modi tweeted his welcome in Russian and then in English.<br /><br />He wrote on his official Twitter handle that he is "delighted" to welcome Putin to India.<br />Modi said, "The bond between the people of Russia and India is very strong. Our nations <br />have stood by each other through thick and thin".</p>.<p>"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," Modi wrote.<br /><br />The summit talks are alternatively hosted by Moscow and New Delhi. <br /><br />Last year the talks were held in Moscow in October and attended by then prime minister Manmohan Singh.<br /><br />Putin's visit comes at a time when the Russian economy is buffeted by Western economic sanctions over Ukraine and falling oil prices that has led to a sharp tumble of the rouble.<br /><br />India has already laid the ground for taking forward the ties by stating clearly that it "cannot be party" to any economic sanctions against its old friend.<br /><br />After the delegation level talks, both sides are to witness the inking of agreements and there will be press statements by both the leaders.<br /><br />Putin, who brought along with him a 15-member team of top business honchos, will attend an interaction with CEOs at the same venue.<br /><br />He will then inaugurate the World Diamond Conference at Vigyan Bhavan, and later meet President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening before leaving for home at night.</p>