India, June 18 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin is hosting leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a summit that opens on Wednesday, seeking to bolster business and other ties with members of the regional bloc.

The two-day Russia-ASEAN summit, which is held in Kazan, is set to consider ways to expand Russia's "strategic partnership" with ASEAN that includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam. The regional bloc has maintained relations with Moscow as a "dialogue partner" and engaged Russian officials in annual top-level meetings.

The summit in Kazan marks the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations.

In a message greeting participants ...