By Peter Spinella

Moscow (dpa) - Indian's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Moscow on Wednesday evening for talks with President Vladimir Putin, Indian television network NDTV said on Twitter.

Modi and Putin will take part in a two-day bilateral summit expected to focus on defence and economic collaboration, according to a statement on Modi's website.

Putin was scheduled to host Modi for a private dinner upon his arrival on Wednesday evening, NDTV reported.

Modi also intends to use the visit to promote "Make in India," an Indian government initiative to support manufacturing in that country, according to a statement about the summit.

India, which is one of the Russian defence industry's biggest customers, has enjoyed close ties with the country since the Soviet era.

The leaders of India and Russia have hosted annual bilateral summits since 2000, as part of a strategic partnership agreed between Putin and India's prime minister at the time.