Moscow: Observing that the main outcome of his visit to India was "reaffirmation of the strategic character" of Indo-Russian ties, President Vladimir Putin today (Dec 6, 2004) said the partnership between the two countries has not undergone any adverse shift after the change of Government in New Delhi.

"The main outcome of our visit was reaffirmation of the strategic character of Russia's bilateral relations with India. This was specially, important in view of change in Indian leadership," Putin was reported to have told his media team in Ankara, where he arrived yesterday from India.

According to him it was very important for Moscow to understand the mood of India on continuation of cooperation and judge to what level the Indian side is ready to raise it.

"There is absolutely no slippage, no decline in our relations," Putin said expressing satisfaction at his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Indian leadership.

He said during his three-day India visit, work on a number of deals and initiatives in the fields of military-technical, political and economic cooperation has been advanced, which will further boost the level of bilateral interaction.

Noting that so far there was disproportion between Defence cooperation and interaction in the civilian economy, Putin said the decisions taken in New Delhi will "improve and diversify bilateral economic ties."

"We are beginning to work in the fields of machine-building, energy and transport. All this is a plus point, result of this visit," Putin was quoted as saying by 'Rossia' TV channel.

The reaffirmation of high-level of interaction in military-technical field was of 'no less important', Putin underscored.