Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday night welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin on his arrival in India, saying he looks forward to a “productive visit that will take India-Russia ties to newer heights”.

As Putin arrived on a 24-hour visit for the annual bilateral summit, Modi tweeted his welcome in Russian and then in English.

He wrote on his official twitter handle that he is “delighted” to welcome Putin to India.

Modi said “the bond between the people of Russia & India is very strong. Our nations have stood by each other through thick and thin”.

“Times have changed, our friendship has not. Now, we want to take this relation to the next level & this visit is a step in that direction,” he tweeted.

The two sides are set to ink a new vision document taking forward ties to the next level and also ink several major agreements, in the field of civil nuclear energy, defence and trade.