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MODI, PUTIN CALL FOR STRONG ACTION AGAINST LET, OTHER TERROR GROUPS

In 2+2 Dialogue with his Russian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raises LAC standoff, highlights ‘unprovoked aggression’ by Beijing; Delhi, Moscow warn Taliban against allowing Afghan soil for terror activities.

In a strong message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday stressed on the need for strong action against terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyaba which is involved in all acts of cross border terrorism. Both leaders also called for action against terror groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS. The two leaders also discussed India’s security concerns resulting from China’s aggression including PLA’s action along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh sector.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “There is a strong convergence in ideas to address cross-border terrorism, countering terror groups like LeT.” He also said, “Supplies of S-400 have begun this month and will continue to happen.” President Putin during his meeting with PM Modi said that Moscow is concerned over everything related to terrorism and drug trafficking, including in the context of the situation in Afghanistan. “We are certainly worried about everything related to terrorism and the fight against it. Terrorism is also fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.

In this regard, we cannot but worry about the situation and how it is developing in Afghanistan,” Putin said at the 21st India- Russia Annual Summit at the Hyderabad House.

Sources told The Daily Guardian that the discussion between the two leaders was more specific about Lashkar’s anti-India activities being sponsored by Pakistan. Top MEA sources told The Daily Guardian that Putin was apprised of specific instances with evidence to highlight how Pakistan’s backing for Lashkar has been exposed on many occasions. The Foreign Secretary said, “The focus of India and Russia was on counter terrorism, and there was a strong joint sense of action against LeT.” “Both sides reaffirmed their shared fight against international terrorism, concerted action against all terrorist groups, including those proscribed by the UN, condemned cross-border movement of terrorists,” the India-Russia joint statement said.

The two leaders also categorically said that Afghanistan’s soil should not be allowed to be used for sheltering, training, planning and financing terror outfits in what is being seen as a clear message to the Taliban.

The other important issue discussed between PM Modi and President Putin was civil nuclear cooperation. Sources said that PM Modi underlined the need for India to be in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). That India’s bid to enter this elite N-group is being blocked by China also figured during the discussion. Sources say that Putin has assured the Indian leadership of all possible help and support to ensure that the roadblocks are cleared. Russia’s support for India’s mission for NSG was later added to the joint statement. “Russia expressed its strong support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” the statement said.

The summit meeting between PM Modi and Putin was preceded by India-Russia maiden 2+2 dialogue. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with their Russian counterparts Sergey Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu respectively. Rajnath Singh raised the issue of the Ladakh stand-off in what is understood to be a clear message about the aggressive activities of China. The Indian Defence Minister emphatically highlighted the ongoing border tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, say sources.

He is said to have told Russia that India’s defence challenges are “legitimate, real, immediate”. Hence, he added, India seeks partners who are “sensitive and responsive to expectations and requirements”. “The pandemic, the extraordinary militarisation and expansion of armament in our neighbourhood and the completely unprovoked aggression on our northern border since early summer of 2020 have thrown up several challenges,” Singh said without naming China. He added that India is confident of overcoming these challenges with its strong political will and inherent capability of its people. 

According to sources, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar during talks with Lavrov also touched upon the issue of India’s security concerns due to China’s belligerence, Pakistan-based terror organisations and the Taliban’s inability to rein in terrorists in Afghanistan.  

Meanwhile, speaking about the ties between the two nations, the Russian President said: “We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation, and a time-tested friend. The relations between our nations are growing and I am looking into the future.”

The two nations also signed an agreement for the procurement of 601,427 assault rifles AK-203 through Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd, under the military-technical cooperation arrangement for 2021-31.

During the interaction with Putin, PM Modi said that there has been no change in India-Russia relations despite the challenges posed by Covid-19. “Our special & privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger,” PM Modi said.

“In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations emerged but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant,” PM said.

This was the first in-person between the two leaders since they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in 2019 in Brasilia. There have been six telephonic conversations between PM Modi and President Putin since then apart from the virtual meetings that they have attended for multilateral summits. The visit was in continuation of the tradition of annual summits held alternately in India and Russia. Both sides exchanged views on the Covid-19 pandemic situation and highly appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fight against Covid-19, especially with respect to the “Sputnik-V” vaccine.

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