I am India's best friend: Putin

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, JUNE 28. The current visit of the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, to Russia will contribute to the further strengthening of bilateral relations, said the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin.

Diplomatic sources have described Mr. Putin's meeting with Mr. Fernandes as ``unprecedentedly warm and cordial''.

``We shall continue to cement strategic partnership with India,'' Mr. Putin was quoted as telling Mr. Fernandes.

``We are interested in India being a strong and defence-capable nation for this corresponds to Russia's strategic and national interests.''

The Russian President assured the Indian delegation that he was ``the closest, dearest and best friend of India in Russia.''

Mr. Fernandes is the second high Indian official to be received by Mr. Putin in a single week.

Four days ago the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, also called on the Russian leader.

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