China and Russia on Wednesday supported India's ambition to play a "greater role" in the United Nations as the three countries favoured creation of a "fair and balanced" global system and opposed "confrontationist aproaches" to resolve international issues, in apparent reference to the US.

The three countries, "with growing international influence", also deplored "selective approaches" and "double standards" to fight global terrorism.

Foreign ministers of the three countries, who held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi, decided to push their ties under the trilateral format, saying it was beneficial for the security and stability of the region as well as the world.

They decided to strengthen cooperation in energy, trade, high-technology, transport, civil aviation and economy and in this context a meeting of a trilateral business forum will be held later this year to explore specific possibilities.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Minister Li Zhaoxing held thorough discussions on issues like Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and Middle East.

They emphasised the need for multilateralism to resolve international issues with central role being given to the UN, which should be made "efficient and transparent" and reflect contemporary world realities.

The Chinese and Russian side said they attach "great importance to the status of India in international affairs and understand and support India's aspirations to play a greater role in the UN," a joint communique said.