MOSCOW, May 24 (AFP): India's President APJ Abdul Kalam held talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin Tuesday during a visit aimed at promoting Indian scientific know-how in Russia and strengthening energy and defence ties.

"Russia and India are unique nations -- in difficult times for India and happy times for India you are our close friend," Kalam told Putin at a pomp-filled ceremony in the Kremlin's ornate George Hall.

"I'm absolutely sure this visit will give another major boost to the development of our cooperation," Putin responded.

Kalam, making the first state visit to Moscow by an Indian president since the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse, was accompanied by several scientific advisors, signalling India's hopes of pushing forward ties in science and technology.

"Special attention is being paid to questions of Russian-Indian cooperation in the area of science and high technology," a Kremlin statement read.

"During discussion of regional subjects special attention will be paid to the situation in Afghanistan, Central Asia and also the three-way partnership of Russia, India and China," the statement added.

Although Kalam's visit is mainly ceremonial under India's constitution, it is also being seen as a chance to discuss India's nuclear programme, of which Kalam has been the architect.

The top Russian officials responsible for military technology, space programmes and atomic energy were all present for the talks.

Indian is a major investor in Russia's Sakhalin-1 oil project, while Russia is building two nuclear reactors in India.