New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS): India and Russia on Monday reiterated the need to further enhance parliamentary diplomacy and encourage regular meetings between the elected representatives of their countries, a statement said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Monday co-chaired the Fifth Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission with Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of Federal Assembly of Russia.

"Such enhanced contacts and bilateral visits, would give opportunities to parliamentarians to interact with the various sections of the host country, helping to provide a people's perspective to our relations and to take them to a new height," the statement issued by Mahajan said.

"We have noted with satisfaction the progress in India-Russia relations and have agreed to continue this trajectory of closer cooperation, coordination and consolidation of gains to surge ahead with the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership of India and Russia for mutual prosperity of the people of both countries," Mahajan said.

The Commission also "felt that engaging the youth and women in vital areas of development would go a long way in fostering development and bilateral relations".

Mahajan said the deliberations during the meeting will help in finding lasting solutions for crucial issues.