India, Russia Unite in Global Counter-Terrorism Initiative
India and Russia have established a strengthened partnership in the global fight against terrorism, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin calling for an "uncompromising" international response to terrorist threats during their summit meeting in New Delhi.
The two leaders condemned recent terror attacks, including incidents in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and Moscow's Crocus City Hall, emphasizing the need for a "zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism in all its forms.
Comprehensive Anti-Terror Framework
Prime Minister Modi stated that terrorism represents a direct assault on humanity's fundamental values, asserting that global unity remains the strongest weapon against such threats. The partnership between India and Russia in counter-terrorism efforts reflects decades of cooperation between the two nations.
"India and Russia have long cooperated shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism. The root of all these incidents is the same," Modi declared, referencing the coordinated nature of international terrorist networks.
Targeting International Terror Groups
The joint statement issued following the 23rd India-Russia annual summit specifically addressed the threat posed by international terrorist organizations, including ISIS, ISKP, and their affiliates. The leaders emphasized the importance of eliminating terrorist safe havens and disrupting financing channels.
The March attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall, reportedly linked to ISKP operating from the Afghan-Pakistan border region, underscored the transnational nature of contemporary terrorist threats.
UN Framework and International Law
Both nations called for the expeditious finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework. They stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy without hidden agendas or double standards.
The partnership emphasizes state responsibility in combating terrorism while promoting international cooperation based on established legal frameworks and the UN Charter.
Technology and Modern Threats
The leaders addressed emerging challenges in counter-terrorism, particularly the exploitation of new technologies by terrorist groups. They referenced the Delhi Declaration adopted during the UN Security Council's Counter Terrorism Committee meeting held in India in October 2022.
Areas of concern include terrorist misuse of information and communications technology, social media platforms, payment systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Both countries committed to preventing radicalization and extremist ideology proliferation in online spaces.
Afghanistan Coordination
India and Russia noted their close coordination on Afghanistan, welcoming counter-terrorism measures against ISIS and ISKP in the region. They emphasized the importance of the Moscow Format meetings in addressing regional security challenges.
The leaders stressed the need for comprehensive counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan while ensuring urgent humanitarian assistance reaches the Afghan people.
President Putin received a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Modi personally greeting him at the airport and hosting a private dinner that established the framework for their substantive discussions.