Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets this picture of delegation level talks underway at the Kremlin. The PM arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to a red carpet welcome on his first bilateral visit to Russia during which both countries are set to seal a raft of deals in key sectors like defence, nuclear energy and hydrocarbons to boost their robust and close partnership.


On his arrival, the prime minister was accorded a guard of honour at the Vnukova II airport amid light drizzle and overcast conditions. "Reached Moscow. A series of programmes await in this short but very important visit,' Modi tweeted both in English and Russian.


Stepping up economic engagement and further expanding ties in strategic areas are likely to be the centrepiece of the 16th India-Russia annual summit talks between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.


The two leaders are set to deliberate on various global issues such as the situation in Syria and tackling the threat of terrorism as well.


It is expected that a number of major pacts including to ramp up cooperation in defence and nuclear energy sectors will be finalised. Russia has been Indias biggest supplier of arms though New Delhi has started buying more military hardware from the US in the last few years.