Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is due in India for talks expected to focus on arms and energy contracts.

俄罗斯总理弗拉基米尔·普京将出访印度，商讨武器和能源协议问题。

Mr Putin is expected to sign a host of agreements

The two sides are due to sign two deals worth over $10bn in defence and civilian¹ nuclear reactors² and Russia will refit（改装，整修） an aircraft carrier.

They will also try to boost bilateral³ trade（双边贸易） , which is currently worth $8bn.

The two countries traditionally have had close links since Soviet⁴ times, with India remaining a top buyer of Russian weaponry（兵器，武器） .

However, the relationship faces new challenges, including competition from the West.

Mr Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov has told reporters that Russia expects the "signing of 14-15 agreements after the talks and contracts worth over $10bn" during the prime minister's two-day visit.

He said the two sides would hold talks on civilian nuclear energy, arms and production of telecom equipment.

The two sides also plan to sign agreements on retrofitting（改装） a Russian aircraft carrier, supply of additional 29 fighter aircraft and a deal to jointly⁵ develop transport aircraft.

Russia will build a number of nuclear reactors in energy-hungry India as well as increase atomic fuel exports to it.

Russia is among a number of countries seeking to expand their activities in India following its landmark⁶ nuclear deal with the US in 2005.

That accord（一致，协议） ended India's nuclear isolation⁷ after it tested an atom bomb in 1974.