New Delhi - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday began his official visit to India, during which the global financial crisis, energy and trade will dominate the agenda for discussions with Indian leaders.

Erdogan, who arrived in New Delhi at midnight Thursday on a five-day visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome by his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in the forecourt of the presidential palace.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said Turkey and India shared deep historical ties and both countries were in the process of enhancing political, commercial and cultural ties.

Erdogan met briefly with Indian President Pratibha Patil and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee and later participated in a business meeting organized by the Indian chambers of commerce.

The Turkish premier's main meetings were scheduled later on Friday evening when he was due to meet with Singh and Sonia Gandhi, chairwoman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance.

Indian foreign ministry officials said a number of agreements could be signed at the conclusion of the delegation-level talks on Friday night.

India and Turkey will discuss issues of energy cooperation, terrorism, the financial crisis, reforms of international financial institutions and consolidating political ties, the officials said.

In an interview with the Times of India newspaper, Erdogan said the key objectives of his visit will be to boost bilateral trade and energy cooperation.

The two countries will aim to increase bilateral trade to 6 billion dollars by 2010, but the focus of the discussions will hinge on energy cooperation, the newspaper reported.

"As two countries at the consumer end of the energy supply line, we also see a vast potential for Turkish-Indian cooperation in the energy sector," Erdogan told the Times, detailing some projects in which Turkey and India were holding negotiations.

He said both sides were hoping to deepen the relations in the areas of trade and economic cooperation as well as coordinate efforts in the fight against terrorism.

After his official engagements in New Delhi, the prime minister was due to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra and the country's information technology hub of Bangalore. He is to leave for Ankara Monday. (dpa)