Ways to further shore up India-Russia cooperation in sectors such as energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilisers are expected to be the focus of summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here on Tuesday.

The war in Ukraine is also set to figure prominently at the talks. Top sources said the Indian side is likely to reaffirm its position that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward to resolve the conflict as there can’t be any solution on the battlefield.

Prime Minister Modi on Monday began a two-day high-profile visit to Russia to hold the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with President Putin, in his first trip since the start of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Last night, the Russian president hosted a private dinner for the Indian prime minister at the former’s residence in Novo-Ogarevo on the outskirts of Moscow.

The focus of the prime minister’s visit is to advance an economic agenda, especially in areas of energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilisers, the sources said.