New Delhi, March 11: India is expected to ink pacts worth over $10 billion with Russia on Friday, when visiting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Putin, who arrived here Thursday night, will also call on President Pratibha Patil.
Supplementary agreements on costing and technical details of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrier will be signed. On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the new price of $2.35 billion.
Both sides are also likely to sign or conclude negotiations on a simplified visa regime; a multi-billion dollar deal for 40 Su-30 MKI aircraft and 29 MiG-29K maritime fighters; also on developing a stealth fifth-generation fighter and multi-role transport aircraft.
Mr Putin’s conversations with Indian leadership will be aimed at deepening the strategic partnership, with a focus on regional issues and critical sectors like hydrocarbons and space.

Age Correspondent