MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on the importance of coordinating on Afghanistan during a telephone conversation on Tuesday.

The leaders noted that closer cooperation on Afghanistan would contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region, the Kremlin said in a statement.

“They expressed their readiness to build up cooperation in countering the spread of terrorist ideology and the drug threat emanating from Afghanistan,” it added.

Both leaders agreed to form a bilateral communications channel that would allow for further consultations on Afghanistan.

Putin and Modi also covered bilateral trade and economic ties, and cooperation in combatting Covid-19.  (Xinhua)