PM Modi holds talks with Russian President Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin focusing on various key aspects of bilateral ties including cooperation in areas of trade and investment, energy and defence.

The meeting took place on the margins of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in this capital city of Kyrgyzstan.

The talks came over a week before Putin travels to India to attend the annual BRICS summit.

Ahead of the meeting, officials said the talks cover traditional areas of India-Russia engagement including defence, energy, trade and investment.

The two sides are also likely to deliberate on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the West Asia crisis.

INTERNATIONAL BISHKEK