India, Russia call for stamping out terror in all forms

India and Russia on Saturday condemned terrorism and emphasised the need to stamp out terror in all forms, apart from calling for building a legal regime on the principle of zero tolerance for terrorism, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said.

Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the need to "deny safe havens to terrorists and counter the spread of terrorist ideology, stop recruitment, prevent travel of terrorists, strengthen border management and essentially have a legal regime built on the principle of zero tolerance for, or indirect support of, terrorism", he added.

He was addressing a press conference here on the sidelines of the India-Russia bilateral summit.

"The two leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

He said India appreciated Russia's unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack on the army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, in which 19 soldiers were killed.

"The Prime Minister appreciated the strong statements and support and sympathy we got from Russia after the Uri attack. He recognised the personal role of President Putin in building the India-Russia relations over two decades. He said this relation is actually so strong, so deep, that we are responding organically to international developments and changes," the Foreign Secretary said.

A joint statement issued by the two leaders also noted the "commonality of positions on important issues, including the war on terrorism", Jaishankar added.

--IANS

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