Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minster, it is a pleasure to see you here.
Manmohan Singh (as translated): I am also very pleased to be here, Mr Prime Minister.
Vladimir Putin: I am happy to note that India, which truly is an important strategic partner for us both in the region and globally, strongly supports our contacts in virtually every area.
The high-level contacts are carried out according to a previously agreed schedule, and we truly have been living up to all our previous agreements. This most of all has to do with the diversification of our relations.
I am pleased to note that even during the global financial and economic downturn, we have not only sustained but actually increased the level of our trade and economic relations - trade has grown by 8%.
We have had a very successful Year of India in Russia and the Year of Russia in India. Unfortunately, due to the recent tragic event and the national day of mourning in Russia, we are not able to hold a solemn closing ceremony today. But these events were extremely important and very successful.
We are very grateful to the Indian leadership and to all our partners in India for their keen attention to the development of Russian-Indian relations.
Mr Prime Minister, we are very pleased to see you. Your visit has been very successful; many bilateral agreements have been signed, which will certainly provide a significant impetus for further development of our relations.
Manmohan Singh: Your Excellency, Mr Prime Minister, extinguished members of the Russian delegation, thank you very much for your warm words of welcome.
Mr Prime Minister, please accept our condolences on the tragic event that took place in Perm recently.
We consider you a great figure on the world stage and a great friend of India. The declaration on strategic partnership between India and Russia was signed during your first visit to India in 2000. It was a historic visit, which laid the foundations for the evolution and development of our relations, and I remember very well how the relations have been progressing since then. Currently, they are at a very high level.
Your Excellency, I am very grateful to you for accepting my invitation to visit India in March of next year. I would like to assure you that you will receive a very warm welcome, and I am convinced that your visit will provide a new impetus for the development our relations.