New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his deep condolences over the Pulwama terrorist attack and conveyed the solidarity of his country with New Delhi in its fight against terror.
Modi thanked Putin for Russia’s steadfast support for India’s efforts to protect its interests against cross-border terror attacks, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
In their telephonic conversation, the prime minister also renewed India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism as a pillar of privileged and special strategic partnership.
According to the Indian readout, both leaders agreed that the “concerned” should stop all support to terrorism.
However, the press note from Kremlin did not have any reference – direct or indirect – to any other country.
“In addition to the message sent earlier, Vladimir Putin once again conveyed his condolences to the people of India in connection with the killing of Indian security forces on February 14. In this context, the two leaders condemned international terrorism and any methods used to support it, stressing the need to step up the uncompromising fight against the terrorist threat,” said the Russian press statement on the phone conversation.
Russian president “expressed hope for a prompt settlement” of the current standoff between India and Pakistan, it added.
The two also agreed that the growing cooperation between the two countries will take their special and privileged strategic partnership from strength to strength.
President Putin reiterated the invitation to Modi to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok later this year.
Modi welcomed the invitation and underscored the significance of growing economic cooperation, including in the Russian Far East, between the two countries, the statement added.
(With PTI inputs)