India, Russia review bilateral ties ahead of Putin's visit

India and Russia today reviewed the status of bilateral ties, including cooperation in key areas of defence and security, and also prepared the ground for the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the country next month.
The discussions were a part of the 22nd Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC-TEC) where External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led the Indian delegation, while Dmitry Olegovich Rogozin, Deputy Chairman, headed the Russian side.
Before holding delegation level talks, the two leaders had a restricted meeting, MEA officials said.
They reviewed the work of various working groups and subgroups under the IRIGC-TEC mechanism and discussed about preparations for Putin's visit, External Affairs Ministry said, underlining that India and Russia share a special and privileged strategic partnership.

Putin will be travelling to India in October for BRICS Summit and will also hold a bilateral Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) provides a framework for review of a broad spectrum of bilateral issues covering trade, economic, scientific, educational and cultural cooperation.
The last meeting of the Commission was held in Moscow in October 2015.