The partnership is expected to be given the seal of approval during the Indo-Russian summit due to take place towards the end of the year. ``We attach great importance to our relations with India as it is a stabilising factor in the world,'' Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told reporters at a press conference.

He said he and his Indian counterpart Jaswant Singh, here on a two-day visit, exchanged views on a number of issues of bilateral interest, regional cooperation and the international situation and agreed to ``maintain active political dialogue at all levels.'' Appreciating India's stand on the Balkan crisis, Ivanov said the two countries had similar views on the crucial international issue and would coordinate their efforts along with other like-minded countries to find a peaceful solution to the problem under UN auspices.

Both sides reiterated thatcessation of NATO bombings on Yugoslovia was a pre-condition for any negotiated peaceful settlement of the Kosovo crisis.

They stressed the ``need for democratic reforms of the United Nations and its Security Council for the purpose of strengthening the world body's authority.''

Ivanov pledged Russian support for India's candidacy for permanent membership in the expanded Security Council saying, ``India is obviously a very strong and appropriate candidate for the new seat,'' he said.

Russia believes that the Security Council should be expanded but the expansion should be of a limited nature and the composition of the expanded international body should be balanced so as not to complicate its functioning, Ivanov said.

Singh could not meet Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who is away taking rest in the Black Sea health resort of Sochi, but he had a telephonic conversation with him during which Yeltsin expressed his keenness to pay an official visit to India later this year.

Observers here believe thatYeltsin's visit depends on the state of his health as he has twice postponed it on health grounds.

However, Yeltsin's 20-minute telephonic talk with the visiting Indian minister was described by foreign policy observers as a unique gesture as the ailing President rarely speaks to any foreign minister, that too while vacationing and recovering in a health resort.

Singh was also not able to meet Russia's new Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin who could not reach Moscow on time from Sochi where he was busy holding consultations with Yeltsin on appointments to the emerging Cabinet.

Singh had to be content with a meeting with Valentina Mathvienko, one of the multiple vice-premiers, who is looking after the social welfare block in the government as no senior cabinet member was available.