Russian deputy PM arrives June 18 to set up contact

New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin is expected to be in the capital for talks June 18 to establish Moscow’s first contact with the new Indian government.

Rogozin co-chairs the India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation which functions as a key mechanism for developing bilateral interaction in the economic and investment fields.

His visit would see both sides discuss all issues, including defence, trade, nuclear energy and space cooperation.

Russia is a major arms supplier to India.

The visit by Rogozin follows a telephone conversation Russian President Vladimir Putin had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month to congratulate him on forming the new government.

Putin said relations between the two countries were multi-dimensional and that he looks forward to the bilateral summit to be held in India later in the year.

Rogozin’s visit to India would follow that of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal.

Oman Foreign Minister Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah was in New Delhi last week to establish contact with the new government as a special envoy of the sultan of Oman.