Russia Backs India on Territorial Integrity as NSA Visits Moscow

NEW DELHI: NSA Ajit Doval on Wednesday held talks with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow on the prevailing regional situation including threats and rhetoric from Pakistan following India’s decision to abrogate Article 370.

ET has learnt that Russia backed India’s position including on the issue of territorial integrity at NSA-level meet which was Doval’s maiden trip abroad after spending over a week in Jammu and Kashmir to personally monitor situation on the ground following the government’s decision.

Doval appraised Patrushev about rhetoric unleashed by Pakistani PM and Islamabad’s attempts to ratchet up tensions along the Line of Control and infiltrate terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir. Russia was the first P-5 country to declare that the Modi government’s decision was internal in nature and called for addressing the issue in a bilateral format. Russia will hold UNSC rotating chair in September — a critical month when UN General Assembly is organised.

Both sides reaffirmed their intention to intensify counter terrorism cooperation. The longstanding position of both sides on importance of their bilateral consultations and mutual support for principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference of third parties was reiterated, according to a press statement.

NSA’s talks with his Russian counterpar

NSA’s talks with his Russian counterpart covered preparations for PM’s visit to Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum in early September.t covered preparations for PM’s visit to Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum in early September. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will visit Moscow next week to further widen strategic and economic partnership. This will be Jaishankar’s maiden visit to Moscow as External Affairs Minister

Doval also met Director of ROSCOSMOS Dmitry Rogozin to review ongoing cooperation in the space field and the Gaganyaan programme. Rogozin applauded the progress of the Chandrayaan programme and conveyed Russia’s support and best wishes for the Mission’s success. Both sides also discussed long term aspects of space cooperation, which is expected to figure prominently in the Bilateral summit in Vladivostok.

Source: ET

Image Courtesy: ET