( dpa ) - Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov arrived in India Tuesday on a two-day visit aimed at enhancing trade and economic relations as well as reaffirming strategic and defence ties.
Zubkov is slated to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on increasing bilateral trade and economic ties, diplomatic sources said.
The two sides are expected to sign five agreements in the fields of aviation and telecommunications.
Zubkov was accompanied by a 120-member business delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukhov, who chairs the Indo-Russia Joint Commission on Economic Development, and Minister for Trade Elvira Nabiullina.
Besides Singh, Zubkov is scheduled to meet Indian President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hameed Ansari, Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, Minister for Finance P Chidambaram and the leader of the opposition in Parliament LK Advani.
Along with the Indian prime minister, Zubkov is scheduled to inaugurate a Year of Russia in India with a gala concert at the ruins of the 16th century Purana Qila fort Tuesday evening.
The year of Russia is part of an initiative promoted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to enhance people-to-people contacts and generate awareness of each other in their respective countries.
The year-long programme will include cultural, musical and film festivals as well academic discussions and other events. It is to be followed by a Year of India in Russia in 2009.
Both Putin and Zubkov are expected to leave office following presidential elections in Russia scheduled for March. Zubkov is expected to reaffirm Russia's commitment to long-term strategic ties and defence cooperation with India and brief the Indian leadership on changes in the Kremlin power structure, diplomatic officials said.
Issues of energy cooperation with India are also expected to figure in the talks. Zubkov is slated to take over as chairman of Russia's state-run natural gas authority Gazprom after the March presidential elections.
Civil nuclear cooperation is likely to come up but substantive discussions are unlikely till India secures approval for trade in fissile materials from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, officials said.
The telecom sector agreement to be signed during Zubkov's visit is expected to involve an investment of 5 billion dollars in India by Russian conglomerate Sistene over the next three years, PTI news agency reported.
The two sides are expected to discuss ways to boost the volume of bilateral trade from the current 5 billion dollars to 10 billion dollars by 2010.
Like most visiting dignitaries, Zubkov has on his itinerary a trip to the northern Indian city of Agra to see the Taj Mahal. He returns to Moscow Wednesday.