Thursday, May 26 2005 17:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Delhi's quest for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, saying it is a "deserving and strong" candidate.

"Assessing India as an important member of the international community, the Russian Federation reaffirmed its support to India, as a deserving and strong candidate for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council," a joint statement issued at the end of President A P J Abdul Kalam's State visit to Russia said.

Kalam visited Russia from May 23-25, first by an Indian President since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Kalam held detailed discussions with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on May 24 during which they expressed satisfaction that Indo-Russian relationship had "successfully withstood the test of time."

At their Kremlin talks, Kalam and Putin discussed a broad range of issues of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

"The two leaders emphasised that the traditionally close and friendly relations between India and the Russian Federation were characterised by stability and continuity, based on deep mutual trust, understanding and warmth," the Indo-Russian joint statement underscored.

Both sides noted that the strategic partnership between them "served their long-term national interests," provided the impetus to enhance their multifaceted cooperation and contributed to regional and international peace and security. It was noted that views of two countries on most international issues were "identical or similar."