Islamabad, June 14: In a significant statement, Russia today commended Pakistan's efforts to "cut and neutralise" activities of terrorist groups and voiced its desire to improve relations with Islamabad, but made it clear that it would not be at the cost of India. "Russia welcomes the efforts to cut and neutralise the activities of terrorist organisations which are active in the territory of Pakistan," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri after their talks here. Giving Russia's full backing to efforts by India and Pakistan to normalise their relations, Ivanov, before flying to New Delhi, said: "We have received a pledge from Pakistan that there will be no support to the terrorists." "Russia welcomes the efforts by India and Pakistan to establish full scale diplomatic relations based on Shimla and Lahore agreements," said Ivanov, who is the first Russian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in ten years. "Russia welcomes the detente between India and Pakistan and the commencement of the dialogue. It is through political dialogue that solution to all existing problems can be found," he said adding Russia would be ready to assist the peace moves if requested by both the countries. He said Moscow was prepared to leave behind the "negative tendencies" of the past and improve relations with Islamabad but it would not be at the cost of "traditional allies," a reference to India. On Russia's position on Kashmir, he said it is through a dialogue between Pakistan and India that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir could also be resolved.

Bureau Report