A top Kremlin aid said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will himself oversee the signing of the multi-billion dollar S-400 surface-to-air missile system. India and Russia will sign a deal for the missiles this week itself. Russian president Vladimir Putin is visiting New Delhi on October 4-5 for the annual India-Russia summit and the deal is expected to be confirmed during his visit. Russian President Vladimir Putin to Visit India in October for Bilateral Summit with PM Narendra Modi.

Experts are of the opinion that the S-400 surface-to-air missile system are the most advanced in Russia's arsenal. As per reports, the S-400 air defence system deal will cost India above $5 billion.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to New Delhi on October 4-5 for the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit," the External Affairs Ministry had earlier said in a statement. "During the visit, President Putin will hold official talks with the Prime Minister Modi... He will also have a meeting with the President (Ram Nath Kovind), as well as other official engagements," it stated.

Russia is one of only two countries with which India holds annual bilateral summits, the other being Japan. The India-Russia bilateral relationship was elevated to Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in 2010. Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Moscow for the 23rd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Technical and Economic Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) meeting which also prepared the groundwork for Putin's upcoming visit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2018 10:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).