India, Russia for greater U.N. role against terrorism

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, SEPT. 15. The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington are dominating a series of Indo-Russian political consultations under way in Moscow.

A day after the two countries discussed the United Nations' role in combating international terrorism, the National Security Adviser, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, is arriving in Moscow for further discussions of joint anti-terrorist measures.

Both visits had been planned in advance but gained special urgency in the light of the tragic developments in the United States. Two days earlier, senior diplomats from India and Russia, as well as Iran and some Central Asian states met in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, to discuss assistance to anti- Taliban forces in the wake of the death of the North Alliance commander, Mr. Ahmad Shah Masood.

India and Russia emphasised the need for stepping up U.N. efforts in opposing international terrorism, the Russian Foreign Ministry said at the end of one-day consultations between the Foreign Secretary, Mr. T.C.A. Rangachari, and the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, on Friday.

Diplomatic sources said both countries would back what was described as an ``important resolution'' on terrorism expected to be tabled at the current session of the U.N. General Assembly. Russia also reaffirmed its support for India's draft of a comprehensive convention on combating terrorism tabled in the U.N.

The consultations confirmed ``close proximity'' of views on international terrorism shared by the two countries, the sources said. Security issues and ``joint steps to combat international terrorism, religious extremism and illegal drug trafficking'' will also top the agenda of Mr. Mishra's talks in Moscow between September 16 and 18, the press service of the Russian Security Council said today.

Mr. Mishra, who is coming at the invitation of the Security Council Secretary, Mr. Vladimir Rushailo, will hold two rounds of talks at the Security Council and meet senior Russian officials at the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry and other Government agencies. The talks are part of preparations for the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B.Vajpayee's visit to Russia in November.

During the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin's visit last year to India joint working groups on Afghanistan, terrorism and global and regional security were set up.

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Section  : International
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