
New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 3 night met Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee over dinner soon after his arrival in New Delhi on a three-day
state visit during which talks are expected to focus on terrorism, including
Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and trade and Defence co-operation.
Putin, who flew in from China accompanied by First Lady Lyudmila Putin and a high-
power delegation, drove to Prime Minister's official residence for the private
dinner.
Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Defence
Minister George Fernandes, Minister-in-waiting Vasundhara Raje, Indian Ambassador in
Moscow K Raghunath and former Ambassador S K Lambah, besides former Prime Minister P
V Narasimha Rao, were present.
Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, who was invited for the private dinner,
expressed regrets for not attending.
Putin and Vajpayee will have formal talks on December 4 during which the Indian side
is expected to convey its serious concerns over Pakistan's clandestine nuclear tie-
ups with North Korea and continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism in Jammu
and Kashmir.
The two sides would also sign a host of agreements, including one on co-operation in
combating terrorism and boosting economic and scientific ties.
Putin and Vajpayee will sign the Delhi Declaration on further strengthening of the
strategic partnership between the two countries besides another Declaration on
expanding co-operation in trade, economic, scientific and technological
fields.
PTI