Putin arrives on a three-day visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday night on a three-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with the Indian leadership focussing on Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and trade and

defence cooperation between the two countries.

Putin, who flew in here from China, was received at the airport by Minister of State Vasundhara Raje and Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.

During the Russian president's talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India's serious concerns over Pakistan's clandestine nuclear tie-ups with North Korea and continued sponsorship of cross-border

The two sides would also sign a host of agreements, including one on cooperation in combating terrorism.

Asked about Putin voicing apprehension about Pakistan's nuclear and other weapons falling into wrong hands, the sources said the threat of nuclearisation terrorism has been consistently raised by India with the international community