New Delhi: Highlighting the special status
accorded by Russia to its ties with India, Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin today said his country did not have any
military cooperation with Pakistan because it understands
India's concerns.
On a visit here, Putin said terror groups operating out
of Pakistan and Afghanistan were a threat to the entire world
and action against these would be in the "best interest" of
Pakistan itself.
"Unlike many other countries, Russia does not have any
military cooperation with Pakistan because we bear in mind the
concerns of our Indian friends," he said.
He made the remarks after his talks with Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh during which the two leaders discussed a wide
range of issues including Pakistan, Afghanistan and terrorism
emanating from these countries.
The two leaders exchanged views on Afghanistan where
Taliban are showing signs of resurgence.
Earlier in the day, Putin said at a programme that Russia
understood well the concerns of India regarding banned terror
outfits operating against it from Pakistan.
"Parts of Afghanistan's soil continues to be used by
terror groups. We understand the concerns of India regarding
the activities of banned outfits in Pakistan," he said.
Noting that Pakistan has taken action against those
outfits in the last few months, Putin said "we hope
addressing the problem (of terror groups) will be in the best
interest of Pakistan. We need to support those efforts."
Putin said India and Russia were concerned over terror
activities and were strategic partners in the fight against
terror.
-PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 00:20