Unveil measures to broaden trade, economic ties
*Gita, Kashmiri Saffron PM’s gifts to Russian Prez
NEW DELHI, Dec 5: India and Russia on Friday called for an “uncompromising” global fight against terrorism without “hidden agendas and double standards” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the menace is a direct attack on the values of humanity.
At their summit talks, Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and Moscow’s Crocus City Hall and strongly pitched for a “zero tolerance” policy on terrorism.
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The two leaders voiced their strong commitment to prevent and counter terrorism in all its forms including cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing.
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“India and Russia have long cooperated shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Be it the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on Crocus City Hall — the root of all these incidents is the same,” he said.
The terror attack on Crocus City Hall in March was reportedly linked to terrorists from ISKP (Islamic State — Khorasan Province) that operates from the Afghan-Pakistan border region.
“India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct attack on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength,” he said.
In their talks, Modi and Putin also sought measures against international terrorist groups, including ISIS, ISKP and their affiliates.
The Russian President landed in New Delhi last evening to a red-carpet welcome with Modi personally receiving him at the airport and later hosting a private dinner for him that largely set the tone for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.
A joint statement released following the summit said Modi and Putin unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism as unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.
“They also called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups and entities, including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh and their affiliates, aimed at rooting out terrorists’ safe havens, countering the spread of terrorist ideology, eliminating terrorist financing channels and their nexus with transnational crime, and halting cross-border movement of terrorists,” it said.
It said the sides called for an “uncompromising fight” against international terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, noting the importance of increasing cooperation in this area without hidden agendas and double standards on the solid basis of international law and the UN Charter.
“Besides, they stressed the need for firm implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, as well as the balanced implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy,” it said.
India and Russia also emphasised the primary responsibility of states and their competent authorities in combating terrorism.
“They called for a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework, as well as implementation of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,” the joint statement said.
The two sides also recalled the special meeting of the UN Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee held in India in October 2022 and referred to the unanimously adopted Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
India and Russia noted that the declaration aimed to cover the main concerns surrounding the terrorist exploitation of information and communications technology, such as payment technologies, social media platforms and fundraising methods and misuse of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones).
“Both sides also expressed their readiness to develop further cooperation in this field with a special focus on preventing radicalisation and the spread of extremist ideology in the online space,” the statement said.
The two sides also noted the close coordination between India and Russia on Afghanistan.
They emphasised the important role of the Moscow Format meetings.
Modi and Putin welcomed the counter-terrorism measures against international terrorist groups, including ISIS and ISKP (Islamic State — Khorasan Province) and their affiliates, and expressed confidence that the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan would be comprehensive and effective.
“They stressed the need to ensure urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people,” the joint statement said.
Meanwhie, India and Russia on Friday firmed up a five-year plan to bolster economic and trade partnership in the face of Washington’s punitive tariff and sanctions regime even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to President Vladimir Putin that the war in Ukraine must be brought to an end through dialogue.
Following their summit talks, Modi and Putin unitedly demonstrated their keenness to impart a fresh momentum to the trajectory of the over eight-decades-old partnership between the two nations.
Besides finalising the 2030 economic programme, the two sides signed several agreements to expand cooperation in a number of sectors including health, mobility and people-to-people exchange.
“Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star,” Modi said in his media statement.
The Prime Minister, referring to the economic roadmap, said taking the India-Russia economic partnership to new heights is now a common priority for both sides.
Modi also said that India and Russia are working towards early conclusion of a free trade agreement with Eurasian Economic Union.
The Ukraine conflict also figured prominently in the talks with Modi saying that India has advocated for peace in that country.
“We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the future,” he said.
India and Russia also directed their officials to speed up negotiations for a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investments.
The matter came up for discussion at the summit-level meeting between Modi and Putin here.
The two leaders also underlined the current and potential cooperation in the energy sector.
The leaders appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, said a joint statement issued after the meeting.
“They also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investments,” it added.
India and the Eurasian Economic Union held the first round of negotiations for the free trade pact in the national capital last week.
India and the five-nation grouping, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), on August 20, inked the terms of reference for the agreement.
Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are the five member countries of EAEU.
Modi and Putin, the statement said, agreed to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing India’s exports to Russia.
The nearly USD 70 billion goods trade is heavily skewed in favour of Russia, mainly due to crude oil imports by India. It had a trade deficit of about USD 59 billion last fiscal year.
Meanwhile, flavourful Assam black tea, Kashmiri saffron, a handcrafted silver horse, an ornate tea set and a Russian edition of the Bhagavad Gita are among the gifts Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A copy of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita presents Lord Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna on duty, the eternal soul and spiritual liberation during the battle of the Mahabharata.
Its timeless wisdom inspires ethical living, mind control and inner peace, with translations making it accessible to modern readers worldwide, officials said.
Grown in the fertile Brahmaputra plains, Assam black tea is prized for its robust malty flavour, bright liquor and traditional processing using the ‘Assamica’ variety.
Recognised with a GI tag in 2007, it represents a rich heritage shaped by land, climate and craft.
Beyond its cultural legacy, it is also valued for potential health benefits, making each cup both comforting and wholesome.
The ornate Murshidabad silver tea set, crafted with intricate engravings, reflects the rich artistry of West Bengal and the deep cultural importance of tea in both India and Russia.
Gifted with affection, the set celebrates the enduring India-Russia friendship and the timeless ritual of tea, the officials said.
The handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, adorned with intricate detailing, showcases the finesse of India’s metal craft traditions.
Symbolising dignity and valour celebrated in both Indian and Russian cultures, it reflects shared heritage and mutual respect, the officials said.
The poised and forward-moving stance of the handcrafted horse serves as a metaphor for the enduring and ever-advancing India-Russia partnership.
The handcrafted marble chess set from Agra blends fine craftsmanship with functional elegance, highlighting the region’s stone inlay heritage under the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) initiative.
Kashmiri saffron, locally known as Kong or Zaffran, cultivated in the highlands of Kashmir, is prized for its rich colour, aroma and flavour, and holds deep cultural and culinary significance. (PTI)
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