New Delhi: Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said on Monday that Russia and India have common concerns that the land of Afghanistan should not be used to spread terrorism in other countries and terrorism in Russia and Kashmir. There is a ‘threat’ of spreading terrorism. Kudashev also said that there is not much difference between Russia and India’s position on the overall situation in Afghanistan and Moscow’s thinking in recognizing Taliban rule will depend on the Taliban’s actions.
Kudashev told PTI in an interview that Russia would like Afghanistan to have an inclusive government that can ensure security, stability. Have kept in touch with each other on the developments there. Kudashev said, “Both India and Russia are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. We want inclusive government. We want that the land of Afghanistan should not to be used to spread terrorism in other countries of the region.
“These are very basic values that bring Russia and India together,” he said. I don’t see much difference in our stand on Afghanistan.’ He said that any kind of civil war would be detrimental to the regional security landscape.
On the possibility of shifting the focus of various terrorist organizations operating out of Afghanistan from the conflict-hit country, he said, “As far as terrorism is concerned, we share our concerns with India. There is a danger of spreading terrorism to the territory of Russia and the region of Kashmir. This is a matter of common concern.
‘Pakistan would like a safe environment in Afghanistan’
Asked about Pakistan’s support to several terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan and threats to regional security from them, Kudashev said that Russia feels that Pakistan is one of the countries that would like to see a safe environment in Afghanistan. Concerns are growing in India about the possibility of an increase in the activities of several terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed from Taliban-held Afghanistan.
Indian Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal met senior Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai in Doha on Tuesday. In the meeting, Mittal told Stanekzai that the land of Afghanistan should not be used for anti-India activities and terrorism. Kudashev said tackling the menace of terrorism has been a subject of continuous dialogue between Russia and India under various frameworks. This includes the bilateral system of the Anti-Terrorism Working Group.
“Anti-terrorism action is a part of every bilateral meeting. We assure you that we are aware of this threat and we are very much willing to cooperate in dealing with it.
