Putin in India with eyes on arms, trade deals

NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in New Delhi on Monday to tighten defence ties and boost trade with India, a traditional ally and one of Russia's top clients for arms sales.

Accompanied by several senior ministers and military officials, Putin was due to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the day-long visit, his first since he returned to the presidency in May.

India's foreign ministry changed the venue of the meeting due to violent protests in central New Delhi following the gang-rape of a student that has caused widespread public outrage. "We had to change the venue due to security concerns.

President Putin will be meeting the prime minister at his residence and not in Hyderabad House," a foreign ministry official told AFP. Hyderabad House, the regular scene of diplomatic talks, has been cordoned off after thousands of protesters poured into the heart of the capital over the weekend.

India is now the world's largest arms importer and Russian-made military equipment accounts for 70 percent of Indian arms supplies. "I would like to stress that deepening of friendship and cooperation with India is among the top priorities of our foreign policy,"

Likely tie-ups are expected to involve Russia's Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer, including a $3.77 billion deal for 42 Su-30MKI fighters and a deal to produce the fifth generation Sukhoi fighter -- a joint Russia-India project, according to Igor Korotchenko, director of the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade.