By Vladimir Soldatkin and Guy Faulconbridge KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a BRICS summit in Russia on Wednesday to showcase ambitions for a more harmonious relationship between the world's two most populous countries after years of animosity.

President Vladimir Putin welcomed his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to Russia on Tuesday, as the Kremlin head prepares to host several leaders of developing nations at an intergovernmental summit this week.

The BRICS summit in Russia will be the "the largest foreign policy event ever held" by Russia, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov has said. The summit with include 36 countries with over 20 represented by heads of state. Russian President Vladimir Putin has positioned the BRICS summit as a counterweight to the West.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised expanding relations with Russia at bilateral meetings with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

India confirms a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Russia. This follows a recent agreement on LAC patrolling, aiming to return to the situation in 2020.