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India, Russia ask Pak. to crack down on terrorism
By Atul Aneja
The External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh, with his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, in New Delhi on Sunday. - Reuters
NEW DELHI, FEB. 3. In a clear expression of support for India, Russia today said that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan must cease, and that the Indo-Pak. dialogue could resume only after Islamabad took ``irreversible'' steps to stop infiltration.
In a joint statement issued after talks between the visiting Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, and his Indian counterpart, Jaswant Singh, Russia strongly condemned ``the continued acts of cross-border terrorism against India''. It wanted ``these activities from Pakistan and the territory controlled by it cease completely''.
Commenting on the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's televised address of January 12, the statement pointed out that his assertions ``can only be judged by the concrete action Pakistan takes on the ground''.
Both sides agreed that Pakistan should ``cooperate'' in stopping infiltration of terrorists ``into India, across the International Boundary and the Line of Control''. It sought an end to ``the continued terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir, as also in other parts of India''.
Besides, New Delhi and Moscow noted the need for ``sustained and irreversible steps'' in order to ``create a conducive environment for the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan''. The two countries needed to talk directly to each other in accordance with the Shimla Agreement, the statement said and advocated resumption of an eight-point composite dialogue anchored in the Lahore Declaration.
At a press conference that preceded the release of the statement, the Ministers emphasised the existence of a ``strategic partnership'' between India and Russia. Mr. Ivanov, however, said the leasing of two nuclear submarines was not discussed.
The two sides discussed the possibility of trilateral cooperation, involving China, as well. Mr. Singh clarified that such cooperation could not be construed as an ``axis''. On the contrary, the three sides could work together on some specific issues.
Government sources said Russia and China were keen on collaborating with India, specifically in counter-terrorism. Energy security was another area of interest. China and Russia are keen on investing funds and participating as guarantors of the proposed Iran-India gas pipeline via the Pakistan overland route. India, however, may find it difficult to back this proposal due to its troubled relations with Pakistan.
Both sides also discussed the next phase of cooperation revolving around the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
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