The two countries set a target of enhancing trade to $20 billion, by 2015. They also signed several agreements to deepen cooperation in a host of areas, including nuclear energy, pharmaceutical and the information technology sectors.

The Russian president was the last of a series of world leaders to come to India in recent months, largely with an eye to boosting trade ties with one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

For New Delhi, a top concern has been securing support from these high-profile leaders for its ambitions to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking through an interpreter, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated that support.

"I would like to emphasize that Russia considers India to be a strong and deserving candidate to have a permanent seat in the Security Council, if a decision to expand this organ is taken," said President Medvedev.

The strategic friendship between India and Russia developed and deepened during the Cold War years.