To deepen the partnership between Russia and India, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are all set to seal energy and defence deals ahead of  BRICS summit in Goa.

Putin will hold talks with Modi after arriving in the Indian tourism state of Goa for a BRICS summit also involving the heads of leading emerging nations China,Brazil and South Africa.

The agreements expected to be signed between the two leaders include Moscow's delivery of its most advanced anti-aircraft defence system to India.

The world's top defence importer, India, is undergoing a $100-billion upgrade of its Soviet-era military hardware, as it looks to protect its borders from arch-rival Pakistan and an increasingly assertive China.

Both leaders will also focus on strengthening energy ties to meet India's growing thirst for fuel and electricity for its fast-growing economy.

"The menu is vast," India's ambassador to Russia, Pankaj Saran said at a briefing on the talks, without detailing the deals to be signed.

"It is more than a relationship, it is a partnership and very justifiably it has been described by the two leaders as both special and privileged, as well as of course strategic," he said.

"It is very deep and very intense and it is poised to grow even further."

"We have conveyed our views to the Russian side. We are confident that Russia will reflect upon our concerns," Saran said.

BRICS was formed in 2011 with the aim of using its growing economic and political influence to challenge Western hegemony.

Also Read: Brics Summit summed up Russia as India’s most important strategic partner!!

Nandini