Both sides strongly oppose unilateral use or threat of use of force in violation of the UN charter as well as interference in the internal affairs of other states

Joint declaration by Russia and India

In a joint declaration during a visit to Delhi by President Putin, both countries said they wanted to see a political solution to the crisis over efforts to disarm Iraq.

The statement said that a "comprehensive settlement of the situation around Iraq is possible only through political and diplomatic efforts in strict conformity with the rules of international law only under the aegis of the UN."

Mr Putin, on a three-day official visit, held talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other senior government figures.

The two countries, who have historically been close allies, have focused on ways of expanding military and economic ties.

Terror concerns

The declaration also called on Pakistan to fulfil its promises to crack down on terrorism and to dismantle the "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan.

The leaders stressed "the importance of Islamabad implementing in full its obligations and promises... to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled territory."

But a senior Pakistani Information Ministry spokesman quoted by AP denied that there was a terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

The Russian leader had begun his visit by emphasising mutual Russian and Indian concerns over terrorism.

"Our task is to contain terrorism in the world, and in the regions most sensitive to us," he told journalists in the Indian capital, Delhi.

Our task is to contain terrorism in the world as a whole and in the regions most sensitive to us

Russian President Vladimir Putin

He was referring to Russia's concern about the Chechen insurgency and India's worries about militancy in Kashmir.

"There should be no double standards in the fight against terrorism, the joint declaration also said.

This reflects the attempts by Russia and India after September 11 to win international acceptance for their assertion that they too are fighting terrorism in Chechnya and Kashmir respectively.

The two countries also pledged to improve bilateral trade which has declined in volume since the Cold War.

And they committed themselves to co-operation in the realms of science and technology.

Russia and India have also been negotiating more than 300 arms contracts, including India's possible purchase of an aircraft carrier, and the leasing of two submarines.