Russia and India signed weapons deals worth billions of dollars today as president Vladimir Putin sought to further boost ties with an old ally.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to build four new nuclear reactors for energy-starved India today, cementing his country’s traditional role as India’s main nuclear benefactor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India today, hoping to use the two nations’ decades-long friendship to push for deals in civilian nuclear co-operation, military hardware and trade expansion between the booming economies.