Narendra Modi leaves for two-day visit to Russia; nuclear energy, defence and trade talks on agenda

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Russia Wednesday for annual summit talks with President Vladimir Putin, aimed at expanding the special strategic ties with a focus on nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, defence and trade. He will also address members of the Indian community in Moscow and also attend a private dinner hosted by President Putin.

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There is tremendous speculation on whether India will eventually sign any deal with Russia for acquisition on the lease of a second nuclear-powered submarine. External affairs ministry officials were tightlipped on some reports Monday night that Mr Modi is likely to visit Kabul on December 25, where he will inaugurate the new building of the Afghan Parliament built by India at a cost of about $90 million. These reports claimed the PM might make a stopover in Kabul on his way home from Moscow.

The Parliament building project, initially conceived at a cost of $45 million, was started by India in 2007 as part of efforts to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan.