Arriving on his three-day visit to Russia [Images], Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on Sunday met presidents of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

During separate meetings with Dr Singh in Moscow [Images], Tajik President Emamali Rahmonov and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted the growing need for reforming the United Nations Security Council and backed India's candidacy, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

Earlier report: PM to meet Putin on Monday

Rahmonov reiterated the importance attached by Tajikistan to its ties with India and wanted India to play an active role in the development of his country and the Central Asian region.

Dr Singh mooted cooperation with Tajikistan and other regional nations in the fields of pharmaceuticals and information technology, including setting up joint ventures.

Rahmonov briefed Dr Singh on his recent visit to neighbouring Afghanistan and called for efforts to prevent resurgence of extremist and fundamentalist forces there.