As Modi arrives in Russia, officials working to iron out details of nuclear power pact

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia on Wednesday for an annual summit with President Vladimir Putin during which the two sides will sign a host of agreements, with all eyes on a deal to build with Russia's help the last two units of India's largest nuclear power plant.

Modi will be having his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin where both the leaders will discuss ways to enhance ties in trade, defence and nuclear sector.

Prime Minister Modi and President Putin will address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) where India is a 'guest country'.

The Prime Minister and Indian delegation will be participating in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be attended by thousands of business leaders from across the globe.

On his arrival, Modi tweeted, "Reached the historic city of St. Petersburg. Looking forward to a fruitful visit aimed at cementing India-Russia relations."

With hours to go before the summit, Indian officials told PTI that last-minute talks are taking place to iron out details and language of the agreement on a line of credit for building Unit 5 and 6 of the Kundankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu. "The agreement remains work in progress," the source said.

The reactors are being built by India's Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Russia's Atomstroyexport company, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex.

The two sides are expected to ink 12 agreements in wide- ranging sectors, including in science and technology, railways, cultural exchanges and other business areas between private parties also, in addition to a "vision statement" that the two leaders will release.

The nuclear deal, if signed, would be the centerpiece of the summit, the second time in eight months after their last bilateral in Goa in October 2016.

(With agency inputs)