Moscow: Describing India as a "special country", Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today said Moscow wants to transform its ties with New Delhi from "buyer-seller" to "deeper relations" by expanding military ties and enhancing cooperation in nuclear energy.

"Our ties in such areas as defence, security, and arms trade were based precisely upon the buyer-seller relationship. We would like to move to deeper relations," Medvedev, who is arriving in India tonight for a three-day official visit, said in an interview to Doordarshan. "We expect to come up with some new forms of cooperation with our Indian colleagues. It could be technology exchange or new joint ventures as well as other forms of cooperation that will benefit both sides," he said.

Congratulating India for getting approval from the Nuclear Suppliers Group to do trade with member countries, he said: "with this, the development of nuclear projects and nuclear energy in India will obviously obtain in effect a fundamental, industrial foundation."

"Cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is a serious and mutually beneficial field for joint work. And we consider that during my visit the prospects in this field will be further discussed. "In the nearest future, in the nuclear area, we will be able to launch new projects," the Russian President said. Medvedev said the two countries could work together on developing a next-generation fighter jet and a supersonic cruise missile and termed it as "great interesting project".

Asked about the effect of recent accident of a nuclear-powered submarine on talks with India for the lease of a similar vessel, he said: "There is no any negative influence on our relations because, unfortunately, this sad accident was a result of the so-called human factor."

Source : PTI