Moscow: Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's India visit, Russian cabinet today (Dec 2, 2004) cleared a bilateral accord for visa-free travel to each other's country for diplomatic and official passport holders.

According to the agreement to be signed tomorrow (Dec 3, 2004) during Putin's India visit, diplomats and official passport holders can stay inside the country for 90 days and would not have to leave the country for seeking the extension of their stay, Government Press Service said.

The new visa agreement, cleared by the Russian Cabinet at its meeting, would also benefit the large Indian contingent involved in Defence projects in Russia as now they will be issued five-year multiple-entry visa. Up to now they were issued one-year visa and had to go out of Russia for the extension of their visa.

Putin is visiting India from Dec 3 to Dec 5.