India, Russia to step up cooperation on Afghanistan: PM

NEW DELHI - India and Russia have agreed to step up their cooperation for peace and stability in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday after his talks with visiting President Dmitry Medvedev.

“We have agreed to intensify our consultations on Afghanistan,” Manmohan Singh told reporters after the delegation level talks between the two sides at Hyderabad House here.

At a joint press conference with Medvedev, the prime minister described Russia as “a time-tested” partner of India.

He said the diversified bilateral ties “symbolise the richness of our relationship…”

“Ours is a special and strategic partnership,” he said, adding the talks at the 11th annual summit between the two countries “have been comprehensive”.