New Delhi: Russian Federation Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin on Friday expressed concern over terror groups
operating from within Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying it was
a threat to the entire world.
Putin, who is in India on a two-day visit, said Russia
understood well the concerns of India regarding banned terror
outfits operating against it from within Pakistan's soil.
He added in equal measure that Islamabad had in the
recent months initiated action against those groups.
Participating in a video conference with businessmen from
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, Putin said: "As far as
terror groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan are concerned, it is
a matter of worry for the entire region and in fact, the whole
world."
He said due to the proximity of India and Russia to
Afghanistan border, the situation in the troubled Asian
country "did impact the security" of both the two countries.
"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.
However, "lets be realistic... Pakistan has taken action
against those outfits in the last few months," he added.
"We hope addressing the problem (of terror groups) will
be in the best interest of Pakistan. We need to support those
efforts," he said.
Putin said India and Russia were concerned over terror
activities and were strategic partners in the fight against
terror.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 12, 2010, 17:42