普京访问印度争取扩大能源及防务合作

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi as part of a one-day visit to discuss expanding energy and defense ties.

Mr. Putin was also due to hold talks Thursday with President Pranab Mukherjee and opposition leader Sonia Gandhi.

Russia is facing stiff Western economic sanctions for its role in the Ukraine crisis, and analysts say the Putin mission is aimed at developing new energy markets to help offset the impact of those sanctions. 

Russian and Indian officials said the meetings would likely focus on agreements for military cooperation, space exploration and the construction of new nuclear power plants.

At least 15 trade pacts are set to be signed, as energy-starved India - the world\'s third largest energy importer -- continues to push for greater involvement in natural gas and oil exploration inside Russia.

星期四，普京还将与印度总统穆克吉以及反对党领袖索尼娅•甘地举行会谈。

俄罗斯目前因其在乌克兰危机中所扮演的角色而面临西方的严厉经济制裁。分析人士说，普京访问印度的目的是开发新的能源市场，以缓解西方制裁的影响。

俄罗斯和印度官员说，双方的会谈重点很可能是就军事合作、太空探索和兴建新核电厂签署协议。

俄印两国预定将签署至少15项贸易协定，缺乏能源的印度继续努力扩大在俄罗斯天然气和石油勘探领域的参与。印度是世界第3大能源进口国。