India keen on deepening strategic ties with Russia: Prez

President Pranab Mukherjee today said India is desirous of deepening its strategic ties with Russia in a host of areas and subjects.
This was conveyed by Mukherjee to visiting Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Sergey Naryshkin, who called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
Interacting with Naryshkin and his delegation, the President said India-Russia strategic partnership has a long and illustrious history.
"President Putin's visit to India in December, 2014 was a landmark event. The understandings reached have helped to expand our partnership in a number of new areas. India is fully committed to developing and deepening the strategic partnership with Russia in diverse areas," he was quoted as saying by a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson.

"Over the years, we have steadily developed the special and privileged strategic partnership which reflects the breadth and depth of cooperation between our two countries. We believe that economic dimension of our bilateral relationship has huge untapped potential," he said.
According to Mukherjee, Indian and Russian Parliamentary exchanges are an important element of bilateral relations.

"The visit to India of this high-level delegation comprising chairs of different parliamentary committees will provide fresh dynamism and depth to our parliamentary contacts," he said.
Naryshkin said the friendship between India and Russia has grown over various decades.
According to the spokesperson, the visiting dignitary said that BRICS summit will take place in Russia in July as he sought India's participation in the 70th Anniversary celebrations of 'Victory Day' in Russia.