President Vladimir Putin, currently on an official visit to India that has brought a raft of lucrative energy, armaments and trade agreements, also reiterated Russia's support for its long-term partner's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In a joint statement released after their meeting, Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for a peaceful diplomatic solution to the long-running dispute around Iran's nuclear program.
Russia, a key economic partner of Iran, has taken a softer stance on the country's nuclear activities than the West. Some countries suspect Iran's program is geared toward nuclear weapons development, a charge that Tehran has consistently denied, defending its right to civilian nuclear power under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
India, one of the eight known nuclear powers is, unlike Russia and Iran, not a signatory to the NPT.
Putin and Singh's statement said they approve of United Nations sanctions against the Islamic Republic, describing them as an important political incentive for the country to openly cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog.
A proper and timely response from Tehran, which has so far remained defiant, would open the way for negotiations on a long-term comprehensive agreement to ensure future cooperation between Iran and the international community on the issue, the joint statement said.
The leaders also urged for dialogue in another nuclear dispute, over North Korea, which announced last October it had conducted its first nuclear test.
North Korea and five international negotiators have sought to find a peaceful resolution to the country's nuclear arms program. The United States, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea have tried to persuade the reclusive Communist state to end its program in exchange for aid and security guarantees. The six nations are now attempting to make progress in negotiations that stalled over differences between Washington and Pyongyang.
The Russian and Indian leaders highlighted concerns over escalating sectarian violence and terrorist bombings in Afghanistan and Iraq.
They said they were certain that Iraq's return to peace, stability and progress can be achieved only through national accord and reconciliation, and by promoting dialogue between all ethnic, religious and political groups.
They also urged for collective international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, and pledged their further contribution to the country's reconstruction.
Putin again pledged Russia's support for India in its bid to gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which has the power to impose binding decisions and sanctions.
Russia and its traditional partner India, whose economy is rapidly gaining ground along with its clout in global affairs, call for the UN to be reformed, and brought into line with modern realities, the leaders' statement said. Proposed reforms of the organization also cover the Security Council and include demands to make the body more representative.
Russia reiterates that it regards India as an influential and important member of the international community, the statement said.
