Article Posted on : - Dec 08, 2010

Chief of the Russian General Staff, Army General Nikolai Makarov. A file photo

MOSCOW (PTI): Russia's top commander Tuesday embarked on a three-day visit to India to discuss bilateral military cooperation and deepen services-to-services interaction.

Chief of the Russian General Staff, Army General Nikolai Makarov is on a three-day visit to India to discuss services-to-services interaction between the two countries and upcoming INDRA-2011 joint drills, according to Russian Defence Ministry.

The Indian and Russian military have conducted joint Indra exercises since 2003.

Gen. Makarov, who in the Russian military hierarchy is equivalent to chairman, joint chiefs of staffs, is to be hosted by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik during his December 7-9 visit.

The top general is also scheduled to visit BrahMos Aerospace Ltd, a Russia-India joint venture manufacturing supersonic cruise missiles, and the Indian Paratroopers Brigade in Agra.