Modi, Putin join hands to counter terrorism

“Russia’s clear stand on the need to combat terrorism mirrors our own. We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism, that threatens our entire region. We both affirmed the need for zero tolerance in dealing with terrorists and their supporters,” Modi said at a joint media event with Putin after their annual summit here. 

Asked if the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan figured during the talks, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, “The restricted form did cover Uri and support given for the terror strike (by Pakistan).” He said a more detailed conversation between Modi and Putin on the driving forces behind terrorism would take place at the lunch hosted by the Prime Minister.

On his part, Putin said the two countries were closely cooperating in the fight against terror.

“President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s continued commitment to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with India and noted the commonality of positions of both the countries on such issues as war on terrorism. Indian expressed its appreciation for Russia’s unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack on Army base in Uri,” a joint statement issued after the talks said. India, which has conveyed its opposition to Russia undertaking joint military exercises with Pakistan, a country which ‘sponsors and practices terrorism as a matter of state policy’, also said it was ‘satisfied’ about Russia understanding its interests. 

India and Russia on Saturday signed an MoU for setting up and utilising ground stations in each other’s territories to enhance the usefulness of their respective navigation satellite constellations of NavIC and GLONASS. 

The two sides agreed to enhance their engagement in the field of space including cooperating within the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on Space. The space agencies of India and Russia will ‘engage more actively’ on space technology applications, launch vehicle, satellite navigation, space science and planetary exploration.