Indo-Russian ties better than ever, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that the relations between Russia and India was at an unprecedented high.

‘‘The relations are at unprecedentedly high level. Our political contacts are practically continuing uninterrupted,’’ he said in his opening remark at a meeting with Natwar Singh at his presidential residence at Novo-Ogoryevo, outside Moscow. PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia will be the main event of the year in bilateral relations, he said.

Singh said 11th Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission meet was fruitful as there was consensus on most issues. ‘‘The discussion of economic issues was one of the most successful,’’ the minister said. He also conveyed to the Russian President warm regards from President A P J Abdul Kalam, Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.