India, Russia for UNSC reforms, condemn global terrorism

Panaji (Goa) [India], Oct. 15 (ANI): India and Russia have called for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to make it more effective and representative. A joint statement issued after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit here said, "India and Russia called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more effective and representative of the contemporary geo-political realities. Russia reaffirmed its support for India's candidature for a permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council." With regard to global order and world peace, the statement said, "Recognizing the importance of cooperation between India and Russia for global peace and stability, both sides reaffirmed their desire to work together to promote a multi-polar international system based on the central role of the United Nations and international law, common interests, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries. The leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and recognized the need for resolute action against the menace of terrorism and threats of illicit drug-production and drug-trafficking, including the elimination of terror sanctuaries, safe havens, and other forms of support to terrorists. Both sides called for constructive international, regional and bilateral cooperation in order to help Afghanistan in addressing the domestic security situation, improving the capabilities of Afghan National Security Forces, strengthening counter-narcotics capabilities, ensuring socio-economic development, and enhancing connectivity. India and Russia reiterated their support for the Afghan Government's efforts towards the realization of an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned national reconciliation process based upon the principles of international law. The leaders of both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasized the necessity of comprehensive international collaboration in order to ensure its eradication. The statement said, "India and Russia recognize the threat posed by terrorism, and believe that the full implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions, the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy without application of any double standards or selectivity will be instrumental in countering this challenge." Both nations stressed on the need to deny safe havens to terrorists and the importance of countering the spread of terrorist ideology as well as radicalization leading to terrorism, stopping recruitment, preventing travel of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters, strengthening border management and having effective legal assistance and extradition arrangements. Emphasizing on the need to have a strong international legal regime built on the principle of 'zero tolerance for direct or indirect support of terrorism', both sides called upon the international community to make sincere efforts towards the earliest conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). Both sides recognized that the rapidly expanding role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has led to the development of certain security vulnerabilities which need to be addressed through the development of universally applicable rules for responsible behaviour of states which should ensure the safe and sustainable use of ICTs. They reaffirmed the need to deepen bilateral cooperation in this field and welcomed the conclusion of the Indian-Russian Inter-Governmental Agreement for Cooperation in this regard. Both sides expressed concern over the continuing instability in South-Eastern Ukraine and supported a political and negotiated settlement of the issue through the complete implementation of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015. The two sides are convinced that the conflict in Syria should be peacefully resolved through comprehensive and inclusive intra-Syrian dialogue based on the Geneva Communique of June 30, 2012, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Both sides also underlined the necessity of strengthening the cessation of hostilities, delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged areas, and the continuation of intra-Syrian dialogue under UN supervision. India recognized Russian side's effort towards achieving a political and negotiated settlement of the situation in Syria. They reaffirmed that they have a common interest in preventing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and in strengthening the multilateral export control regimes. A responsible approach to disarmament and non-proliferation is demonstrated by India and Russia's constructive participation in relevant international fora such as the Conference on Disarmament, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, etc. Both sides reiterated their desire to strengthen interaction and coordination of views on these issues. (ANI)