Medvedev back after after cutting short India visit

Moscow, Dec 6 (PTI) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev got
back Saturday, cutting short his visit to India following the
death of the head of the Orthodox Church, a revered figure who
oversaw a religious revival in the country.

Medvedev also cancelled his plans to proceed to Italy
from New Delhi, in view of the death of Alexy-II, which he
described as a "great grief" to the country".

"Our country and our society have suffered a great grief.
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II has passed
away," Medvedev said.

"His personality and his name are closely associated with
the rise of the Russian Orthodox Church and the establishment
of principles of freedom of conscience and faith," he was
quoted as saying by Itar Tass agency.

During his maiden three-day visit to India, the two
nations signed several key agreements in the fields of nuclear
and space cooperation to fortify their strategic partnership.

Besides, the President held summit talks with Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also met Congress President
Sonia Gandhi and the leader of the opposition L K Advani.

Despite cutting short his visit, he also participated in
the closing ceremony of the 'Year of Russia in India'.