In phone call Putin Modi, conveys condolences on Pulwama terrorist attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his deep deep condolences on the Pulwama terrorist attack. He also conveyed solidarity of the people of Russia with the people of India in the fight against terrorism.

Both leaders agreed that the concerned (Pakistan) should stop all support to terrorism.

"The Prime Minister thanked President Putin for Russia's steadfast support for India's efforts to protect its interests against cross-border terror attacks and renewed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism as a pillar of privileged and special strategic partnership," read a press statement.

Putin called Prime Minister Modi amidst high tensions between India and Pakistan.

A day after India carried out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Jammu and Kashmir saw heightened military activity on February 27, with Pakistani jets violating the Indian air space and dropping some bombs in Rajouri sector after which one of their fighters was shot down.

India also claimed it foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday morning to carry out strikes in Jammu and Kashmir by shooting down an F-16 fighter plane.

According to the statement, both the leaders have also agreed that the growing cooperation between the two countries will take their special and privileged strategic partnership from strength to strength.

Putin also reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok later this year. The Prime Minister welcomed the invitation and underscored the significance of growing economic cooperation, including in the Russian Far East, between the two countries.

Most of the countries including China and Russia have asked New Delhi and Islamabad should de-escalate and to exercise restraint.