Russia, India Sign Defense, Nuclear Deals

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (left) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attend a joint news conference in New Delhi.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has begun an official visit to New Delhi by signing a series of agreements.

The deals include a long-awaited contract to jointly design and develop a new generation of stealth fighter aircraft.

Another accord is a deal for Russia to expand capacity at a nuclear power plant in south India, where two Russian reactors already are being built.

India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, speaking at a news conference with Medvedev after today's talks, praised the accords as a sign of a deepening partnership.

"We have signed several important agreements covering a large number of sectors," Singh said.

"This reflects our mutual desire to bring our cooperation in other areas at par with our traditionally strong cooperation in the field of defense and nuclear."

Medvedev also voiced support for India's bid for a permanent seat on a possibly expanded UN Security Council, calling the country a "strong and deserving candidate."

The bid won support from U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to the country last month.

From New Delhi, Medvedev, who is being accompanied by a delegation of Russian government officials and business people, is expected to travel on to Agra for a tour of the Taj Mahal, and then to the city of Mumbai.

compiled from agency reports