I am leaving today for Russia at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev for the Annual India-Russia Summit. I had earlier visited Russia in June 2009 to attend the BRIC and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summits. President Medvedev had earlier visited us in December 2008.

The Annual Summit is the principal mechanism for the advancement of our strategic partnership with Russia. This is a partnership based on the solid foundation of long-standing friendship, deep mutual trust and strong convergence of interests. Over the years, our multifaceted cooperation with Russia has acquired greater depth and maturity through joint efforts. We seek to strengthen these ties further.

At the Summit meeting with President Medvedev, I hope to review the status of our bilateral cooperation, including in the key areas of defence, civil nuclear energy, space, science and technology and hydrocarbons. I will also exchange views with the President on key regional and global issues such as terrorism, recovery of the global economy, energy security, climate change, nuclear disarmament and reform of international institutions.

During the visit, I will also meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, under whose Presidency we had established the strategic partnership between our two countries in 2000. Prime Minister Putin and I will jointly attend the closing ceremony of the Year of India in Russia. I also look forward to meeting the members of the India-Russia CEO's Council along with Prime Minister Putin. These events symbolize the mutual desire of both countries to enhance people-to-people contacts, and expand our trade and economic engagement, which is well below our true potential.

I also look forward to interacting with Russian intellectuals and scholars during this visit. We need to build upon the tradition of study and research of each other's countries through greater contacts between the media and academic circles.

I am confident that my visit will be yet another step forward in consolidating our cooperation with Russia and in reinforcing the fact that the India-Russia strategic partnership is a factor of peace and stability in the evolving international situation.