Just hours before the arrival of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin here on a two-day visit, the country's Ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin, briefed ANI TV on a number of issues, both of bilateral and regional importance.

Specifically referring to the presence of NATO troops in Afghanistan, Ambassador Kadakin said they should withdraw immediately and allow the people of Afghanistan and their leadership to sort out the issues bedeviling them.

"At the same time, we understand that a day will come when the coalition forces will leave Afghanistan," Ambassador Kadakin said.

He also said that as far as Afghanistan is concerned, "we are cooperating and checking our position with India."

"We want Afghanistan to be a stable, prosperous and a democratic nation. We are not indifferent to what is happening in Afghanistan," he added.

Ambassador Kadakin also reiterated that Russia sees itself and remains a trusted ally of India, and both countries are seeking a greater role in stabilizing the region because of "shared security interests" arising from the violence in Afghanistan.

"India is a major player in Afghanistan. India and Russia can do much together in Afghanistan. India, Russia and Pakistan will remain eye to eye with Afghanistan," he said. y Sandhya Sharma (ANI)