MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the “partnership” between their two nations as they oversaw the signing of energy and other deals on Thursday.

Mr Putin said his country planned to build six nuclear power units in India over 20 years.

However, no progress was announced on an anticipated purchase of S-400 missiles, Russia’s top-of-the-line anti-aircraft defence system.

“I see in Russia a prominent partner in India’s economic transformation,” Mr Modi said after the two leaders agreed to ease the visa requirements between the two nations.

They also oversaw the signing of several agreements involving Russia’s state nuclear corporation and the Russian Railways, among others.

The two countries agreed on the location of a new Russian nuclear energy plant in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, with Moscow already building a nuclear plant in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2015