India's Manmohan Singh embarks Sunday on one of his last major foreign trips as prime minister, heading to Russia and China to strengthen trade ties and address a long-running border dispute. The 81-year-old, who is expected to stand down after elections next year, will look to clinch energy, defence and other economic deals in both countries as New Delhi tries to boost trade and investment to kick-start sluggish growth.
Singh will also seek a breakthrough on the border dispute with China that has soured ties for decades, after the leaders of the two Asian giants pledged earlier this year to build up trust. "Maintenance of peace, tranquility and stability on our border is an important factor in our bilateral ties (with China) and it is expected that this would be an important aspect of the discussions," Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said at a briefing Friday on the four-day trip.
Singh, who arrives in Moscow on Sunday night, will meet President Vladimir Putin the following day with the focus on strengthening supply of weapons and military hardware to New Delhi. "Russia is a key partner for us in the field of defence," the foreign secretary said in New Delhi. India, which is spending billions of dollars upgrading its military hardware, has been Russia's top arms customer for years, but relations have frayed over delays and cost-overruns.
Both countries will be looking to seal accords on the next phase of a Russian-built nuclear power project on India's southern coast. The project is designed to help meet India's surging demand for electricity, but has been dogged by delays and protests over safety. Singh is expected to assure Moscow on concerns over legal liability in the event of an accident, crucial for the supply of Russian nuclear reactors to the plant, according to reports.
Singh will head to China on Tuesday looking to forge closer economic ties and ink an agreement to ease tension along their disputed border in a remote Himalayan region, following a flare-up in April. India accused Chinese troops of intruding nearly 20 kilometres (12 miles) into Indian-claimed territory, triggering a three-week standoff that was resolved when troops from both sides pulled back. Singh and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang are to hold talks on Wednesday on the issue, after both pledged to resolve the dispute during Li's visit to India in May.