India, Russia resolve to combat terrorism

New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) India and Russia today agreed to consolidate efforts to suppress financing of international terrorism and illicit drug trafficking and resolved to counter the threat of spread of terrorist ideologies.

The two countries also opposed ''double standards'' in combating global terrorism and said they would cooperate to implement the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and ensure an early entry into force of the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

Both sides reaffirmed strong interest in promptly reaching an agreement on the Draft Comprehensive Convention Against International Terrorism, submitted by India.

The decisions were taken at a meeting here today between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A 'Joint statement' issued after the meeting said there could not be any justification for any act of terrorism and that terrorism should not be associated with any nationality, religious, cultural or ethnic group.

Affirming that bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism was an important dimension of their Strategic Partnership, the two sides reiterated to continue comprehensive long-term international cooperation to combat terrorism and address other new challenges and threats.

Expressing concern at the risk posed by the spread of terrorist ideologies, they expressed determination to counter this threat basing these efforts on UN SC resolution 1624, including through enhancing dialogue among civilizations and cultures.

The two countries expressed concern at the deterioration in Afghanistan situation and the growing terrorist threat posed by the Taliban and other extremist forces.

UNI