India & Russia

10-05-2000, 03:27 PM

Putin's plain talking on J&K music to India's ears

Russian President Vladimir Putin bids goodbye in traditional Indian
style, Namaskar, before boarding the presidential aircraft. (AP)

www.timesofindia.com

NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed New Delhi's
stand that talks with Islamabad were possible only after Pakistan
stopped supporting cross-border terrorism, and lashed out at the
Taliban's ``external patrons.'' The move is being seen as Moscow's
efforts to put at rest Indian apprehensions over Russia's emerging
ties with Pakistan. Moscow's position has been outlined in the joint
Indo-Russian statement issued at the end of Putin's visit on Thursday.

Reaffirming its support for New Delhi's efforts to ``normalise
relations with Pakistan on the basis of the 1972 Shimla Agreement,''
Russia ``appreciated the position of India that the composite
dialogue as part of the Lahore process could be resumed only when
necessary measures are taken for cessation of support for cross-
border terrorism and for respect of the Line of Control.''

Similarly, the statement pointedly mentioned the ``official support''
for the forces of religious extremism, out to destabilise the entire
region. The two sides asked ``these authorities'' to contain and
eliminate these forces.

The statement, released here an hour after Putin left Mumbai for
Moscow, said both sides condemned ``States that aid, abet and
directly support cross-border and international terrorism.'' The
statement also called for a ``solid international legal basis'' for
cooperation in combating international terrorism, including the
adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism
and the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

The joint statement urged the Taliban and -- in what will again be
seen as a reference to Pakistan -- ``its external patrons, especially
States extending direct military support to them,'' to get back to
peaceful negotiations for establishing a broad-based government in
Afghanistan. It also mentioned the decision to set up an Indo-Russian
joint working group on Afghanistan.

Similarly, the statement pointedly mentioned the ``official support''
for the forces of religious extremism, out to destabilise the entire
region. The two sides asked ``these authorities'' to contain and
eliminate these forces.

There have been other references to terrorism in the region and the
threat from the Taliban during Putin's five-day visit, but nothing as
categorical as the joint statement. Editorials in Pakistani media
had, in fact, noted with some satisfaction that Putin had called for
talks and "compromise" on Kashmir. But Thursday's statement comes
very close to suggesting that Pakistan backs terrorism in Kashmir.

Russia also appreciated ``measures taken by India for combating
terrorism and ushering in normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir.'' In return,
India has supported steps taken by Russia in Chechnya to protect its
``territorial integrity and Constitutional order.'' Both sides also
condemned terrorist activity in Central Asian countries bordering
Russia.

The two sides promised to continue efforts for complete nuclear
disarmament, called for a ``non-discriminatory mechanism'' to prevent
global proliferation of missiles and missile technology, and said
they were ready to work on banning future production of weapons-grade
fissile material.

``Russia welcomed India's voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing and
appreciated the Indian Government's efforts to develop a broad
national consensus on the issue of the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty,'' the statement said.