New Delhi: Giving a new dimension to their strategic ties, India and Russia will sign several accords, including one on peaceful uses of outer space, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's three-day visit from tomorrow (Dec 3, 2004).

The two sides will come out with a joint declaration after wide-ranging talks Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have with Putin on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern, official sources said in New Delhi today (Dec 2).

The declaration will set out the overall vision of cooperation while spelling out specific areas.

The two sides will sign an agreement under which India will join the Global Satellite Navigation System promoted by Russia.

The hallmark of this visit will be on concrete things as also on how to remove "roadblocks" coming in the way of further consolidating bilateral ties, the sources said.

An agreement exempting holders of diplomatic and official passports from visa requirements will be inked, the sources said, adding the two sides were in the final stages of working out an accord for liberalising and facilitating business and tourist visas.

Indian businessmen have been complaining of long delays in getting visas for travel to Russia.

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed on banking arrangements in either country. Eight Russian banks have been identified which will have linkages with Indian banks. These include SBI, Canara Bank and ICICI.