Putin calls Modi, conveys support in fight against terrorism

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences on the Pulwama terror attack and offered support to PM Narendra Modi in the country's fight against cross-border terrorism and assured his commitment towards strengthening bilateral cooperation with India.

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone on Thursday and conveyed solidarity of the Russian people with India's people in the fight against terrorism.

He also expressed his deep condolences on the Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. An official release said that Modi thanked Putin for Russia's steadfast support for India's efforts to protect its interests against cross-border terror attacks.He renewed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism as a pillar of privileged and special strategic partnership.

Both leaders agreed that all concerned should stop all support to terrorism. Both the leaders also agreed that the growing cooperation between the two countries will take their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership "from strength to strength". President Putin reiterated the invitation to the Prime Minister to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok later this year. Modi welcomed the invitation and underscored the significance of growing economic cooperation, including in the Russian Far East, between the two countries.