MOSCOW. Aug 24 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone, the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday.
"While exchanging views on the situation in Afghanistan, they noted the importance of coordinated efforts toward peace and stability in that country and security in the region at large. A desire to step up cooperation in deterring terrorist ideology and the drug threat coming from Afghanistan was expressed. The creation of a bilateral channel for permanent consultations on those issues was agreed on," the press service said.
The sides "touched upon a number of issues pertaining to the further development of the Russian-Indian relations of particularly privileged strategic partnership, including in the areas of trade and the economy," it said.
Modi "thanked Putin for the assistance in containing coronavirus infections, including the delivery and production of Russian vaccines in India and the supply of necessary drugs and medical equipment," the press service said.
The schedule of upcoming contacts at various levels was discussed, it said.