10 Mar 2010 18:27

Putin to hold online news conference in Delhi on investment, energy, culture

MOSCOW. March 10 (Interfax) - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will hold an online news conference for residents of Bangalore, Calcutta and Mumbai while on a working visit to India, the government office's deputy head Yury Ushakov has announced.

"The prime minister will speak about investment, nuclear energy, culture and Indian students' training in Russia," Ushakov said at a press briefing ahead of Putin's visit to India on March 12.

The online news conference will involve representatives of the Indian public, including businessmen.

Putin will be visiting India as Russia's prime minister for the first time. But he has been to India four times before as president. He last visited India in 2007.

The program of Putin's visit includes talks with Indian President Pratibha Patil, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance Sonya Gandhi and with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. After one-one-one talks, the two prime ministers will be joined by other officials.

Following the talks the sides are expected to sign agreements, while he prime ministers will hold a joint news conference.

The visit will be capped by an official dinner on behalf of the Indian prime minister.

Two exhibitions will be opened - display of Roerich's paintings at the National Gallery and a Russian Winter exhibit of 40 paintings from the Russian Museum in St.Petersburg.