Moscow, Oct 01: In a bid to suppress terror financing, India and Russia have agreed to ink a Memorandum of Understanding on narcotics control as part of their anti-terror co-operation, a top Indian diplomat told after a joint working group meeting here. "The measures for the suppression of the financing of terrorism, including through funds raised from illicit drug trafficking were discussed in detail, and MoU on narcotics control would be one of such measures," additional secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Meera Shankar said. Shankar co-presided over the first session of the Indo-Russian JWG on combating international terrorism on Sept 29-30 along with her Russian counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoly Safonov.
In a joint statement issued after the meet, India and Russia have expressed their readiness to make "global, regional and sub-regional efforts in combating terrorism, including mutual assistance and assistance to the third countries in developing their potential to combat terrorist threats."
Though Shankar declined to identify the "third countries", it is believed that Afghanistan was one of the major issues of concern for both the countries.
Resurgence of Taliban with the help of Pakistan, the massive opium harvest in Afghanistan were the areas of mutual concern for India and Russia, sources said.
India and Russia have also agreed take 'practical steps' in their anti-terror co-operation including joint training, exchange of information and intelligence through their various national agencies. Bureau Report