Article Posted on : - Dec 15, 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday left for a three-day visit to Russia during which he will work on further expanding bilateral cooperation and consolidating coordination on regional and global issues.

Noting that there is enormous mutual goodwill in the two countries for each other, Singh said he is "convinced that India-Russia consultation on global issues is more necessary today than ever before".

"Both countries recognise the significant mutual benefit we derive from working together. I will utilise 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," the Prime Minister, who will be attending the 12th annual Indo-Russian Summit in Moscow, said in a pre-departure statement.

The Prime Minister also said that he was looking forward to meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his visit.

Observing that Putin has played a key role in development of "our Strategic Partnership, and has been the architect of our contemporary relationship," Singh said, "I will review with him the progress we have made in our relations since his visit to India in March 2010".

The Prime Minister also said that Indian enjoy a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia and the Summits have focused high level attention on follow-up to the decisions that are taken and on charting new vistas for cooperation.