Indians in Russia 'building blocks' in strategic ties

President Pratibha Patil has described Indians in Russia as the "building blocks" in the bilateral strategic partnership as she met members of the community in Moscow on Wednesday. The President's interaction with the Indian community as well as prominent Russians who played a role in promoting the bilateral ties was her first engagement in Russia.

The President arrived at Moscow on the first leg of a two-nation trip that will also take her to Tajikistan. During her four-day stay in Russia, she will hold talks with President Dmitry Medvedev on bilateral, regional and global issues. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will also meet her.

Greeting the Indian community, she said Indians in Russia were "building blocks" in the strategic partnership between the two countries. Patil lauded Russia as a "time-tested friend" of India.

Earlier, she told reporters accompanying her that building "good relations with Russia is a matter that enjoys national consensus in India." "India and Russia have always been friends and our friendship is based on mutual trust, confidence and commonality of interests," Patil, on her maiden visit to Russia