During their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi, the two leaders will primarily focus on global and regional issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday voiced the hope his talks with President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the “special and privileged” strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a series of tweets — in Russian and then in English — on the eve of his visit to Russia, Mr. Modi said he looked forward to his meeting with Mr. Putin.

“Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him,” Mr. Modi tweeted.

During their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi, the two leaders will primarily focus on global and regional issues, including the impact of the United States decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran.

“Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia,” Mr. Modi said in another tweet.

Official sources said the two leaders would meet for 4-6 hours for the “agendaless” talks where deliberations on bilateral issues were likely to be limited.

They said the issues on the table might include the economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, the threat of terrorism and matters relating to the upcoming SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and BRICS summits.

Defence cooperation

The sources said the possible impact of the U.S. sanctions against Russia under the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Indo-Russia defence cooperation may also figure during the talks between them.

India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources said, adding New Delhi had been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.

The aim of the informal summit was to use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues, the sources said.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending the Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor project, India’s engagement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

The schedule

(All times local, GMT + 3)

09.40 Modi arrives in Sochi

13.05 Hold restricted talks with Putin

14.00 Lunch and tete-e-tete with Putin;

15.45 Visit Moya Russia - Ethno Centre

17.00 Visit Sirius Educational Centre

18.10 Depart for Delhi