Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left on a two-day visit to Russia. Before leaving for Moscow, he wrote in a Facebook post that the trip will deepen bilateral cooperation in the economic, energy and security spheres. PTI reported that India and Russia are likely to sign a number of pacts in sectors such as nuclear energy and defence.

The prime minister said that Russia remained one of India’s “most valued” friends in the world and that he was “very optimistic” about the outcome of the annual summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The two premieres will interact with a group of Indian and Russian chief executives in Kremlin. Modi will also address a gathering of around 3,000 people at the "Friends of India" event on Thursday.