"The visit testifies to a high level of our relations," said a Russian diplomat.
The Indian leader arrived in Moscow yesterday. Today, he is expected to meet with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and Boris Gryzlov, the Chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, according to a diplomatic source in Moscow.
On Monday, President Kalam will also visit the Sukhoi aircraft design office, Russia's Academy of Sciences where he will be granted an honorary professor title, hold a meeting with the Academy's Oriental Studies Institute staff, and read a lecture to Moscow State University (MGU) students.
On Tuesday, the Indian leader will visit the Mashinostroyeniye production center producing BraMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, a Russian-Indian joint project.
On Wednesday, Kalam will leave for St. Petersburg where he is expected to tour the Hermitage's India hall, and the Arctic and Antarktic Institute.
Developments in Southeast Asia will also be central at Kalam's meetings in Russia.
Alexander Yakovenko, a Russian foreign ministry official spokesman, said in a RIA Novosti interview that Moscow welcomed the further development of dialogue between India and Pakistan on the entire spectrum of bilateral issues.
The three-party cooperation, i.e. between Russia, India, and China, will be among the issues to be discussed at talks in Russia. The three countries' foreign ministers will meet in Vladivostok, Russia's Far East, on June 2.
