Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President VladimirPutin in Russia's Sochi following an informal summit.

In his press address, PM Modi stated that India and Russia have been friends for a long time. He also expressed Thanks to President Putin for inviting him for an informal meeting at Sochi.

PM Modi on Sunday expressed hope that his meeting with Russian president Putin would further fortify the special and privileged strategic ties between India and Russia.

Official sources said the two leaders will meet for four to six hours for the agenda-less conversation where discussions on bilateral issues are expected to be very limited.

The Modi-Putin informal summit is expected to lift up a number of issues including Russia's new-found bond with Pakistan and its flirtations with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

It is noted that this is the Prime Minister's second informal summit, the first being in Wuhan with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the seaside resort of Sochi.

The two leaders are expected to discuss steps to cement our already solid partnership over several meetings in the course of the day.