I leave today for Russia to attend the India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev.

 

The practice of Annual Summits between India and Russia over the last decade has provided a tremendous impetus to a relationship that is steeped in tradition and history. Today we enjoy a special and privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia. The Summits have focused high level attention on follow-up to the decisions that are taken and on charting new vistas for cooperation.

 

This year's Annual Summit takes place against the backdrop of a complex international environment. I look forward to an indepth exchange of views with the Russian leadership on the crisis facing the global economy and the political developments in our extended neighbourhood, including West Asia, the Gulf and Afghanistan and the impact of all this on peace and stability in the world. The perspectives of our countries on these developments are marked by a high degree of convergence.

 

I will discuss with President Medvedev how to further enhance our consultations in international forums like the United Nations Security Council, G 20, BRICS as well as the East Asia Summit which Russia has recently joined. I am convinced that India-Russia consultation on global issues is more necessary today than ever before.

 

Our bilateral relations with Russia are based on mutual trust, friendship and shared interests. Our relations encompass diverse sectors including nuclear energy, defence, space, science and technology, hydrocarbons, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges. I will discuss mechanisms to further expand our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the trade, economic and commercial fields.

 

I also look forward to meeting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during my visit. He has played a key role in the development of our Strategic Partnership, and has been the architect of our contemporary relationship. I will review with him the progress we have made in our relations since his visit to India in March 2010.

 

There is enormous mutual goodwill in our two countries for each other. Both our countries recognize the significant mutual benefit we derive from working together. I will utilize my visit to further expand our bilateral cooperation and further consolidate our coordination on regional and global issues. This is in our national interest and in the interest of global peace and prosperity.