India and Russia on Monday agreed to enhance cooperation on issues of mutual interest at multilateral forums amid growing tension between Russia which will assume presidency of the UN Security Council next month and the West over Ukraine. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that Russian delegation headed by its Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin met Indian Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Reenat Sandhu in New Delhi for UN consultations. “Bilateral consultations on United Nations related issues were held between India and Russia in New Delhi today,” the statement said. Indian side congratulated Russia on its upcoming Presidency of the UN Security Council. “Both sides held wide ranging discussions on issues on the UN Security Council agenda and related developments. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation on issues of mutual interest at multilateral platforms,” it added. India and Russia agreed during the consultation to work closely on common challenges in the framework of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The Russian side briefed during the consultation its priorities during 76th session of the UN General Assembly. The Russian minister also met Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and briefed him on Russian priorities during its upcoming Presidency of the UNSC. The consultation has come in the backdrop of high tension between Russia and the West over the deployment of massive forces on the Russian borders with Ukraine. Also, India and Russia signed 28 investment pacts on Monday, including deals on steel, shipbuilding, coal and energy, Shringla said. India has also begun to receive S-400 missiles from Russia this month, Shringla said, adding that supplies would continue. There was lot of emphasis on counter-terrorism; both sides were clear that this is area of common interest. Both sides were clear that Afghan territory should not be used for sheltering, training or planning acts of terrorism. India and Russia decided to continue close consultation and coordination on Afghanistan. — Agencies