May 9, 2005	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1426

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NEW DELHI, May 8: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said that New Delhi looks forward to further consolidate its ties with Moscow on strategic partnership. “We attach highest importance to our relations with Russia, which has been a tried and tested friend, and has stood by us in times of need,” the prime minister said before leaving on a three-day visit to Moscow to attend the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the “Victory Day”, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany by the allied forces in World War II.

Indian premier Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold talks on Monday on the bilateral relations including ways to boost cooperation in the defence, economic, energy and information technology sectors.

“I look forward to my meeting with President Putin in Moscow. Our discussion will aim to build upon the successful visit of President Putin to India in December last year and the common objective we share of further consolidating our relations of strategic partnership,” he added.—APP