New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 7 evening to brief him on the just concluded visit of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to Moscow.

The telephonic conversation lasted 20 minutes, official sources said.

The Russian leader had called Vajpayee on the eve of Musharraf's visit also.

The sources said the telephonic conversation reflected the strength of the bilateral relations between India and Russia.

Such conversations take place between close allies particularly on or before the visits of a third country leader, the sources said, adding India was satisfied with what Putin conveyed to Musharraf.

The Russian leader told Musharraf that Moscow expected Islamabad to stop cross- border terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in that country.

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha would shortly be visiting Russia and would be carrying forward the bilateral dialogue.

PTI