State Duma expresses concern over deterioration of relations between India and Pakistan

At its plenary meeting on Wednesday the State Duma (the lower chamber of parliament) adopted the statement On Settlement of the Indo-Pakistani Conflict.

The Russian parliamentarians express concern over the aggravation of relations between India and Pakistan. "These states are again on the brink of armed confrontation which can this time develop into a local nuclear conflict", the statement reads.

The deputies of the State Duma note that they regard with understanding India's just demands that Pakistan stop backing the activity of international terrorist groupings. At the same time the State Duma positively regards the latest statement by the leadership of Pakistan and the subsequent practical measures to combat terrorism and religious extremism.

Taking into consideration the fact that the zone of confrontation is in direct proximity of the state border of Russia and of other CIS member states, the deputies call upon the leadership of India and Pakistan to display reserve and to take well-considered decisions.

Both parties to the conflict and the international community must use all possibilities for earliest de-escalation of the armed confrontation and for search for peaceful ways to go out of the situation obtaining, the parliamentarians note.

"The potentials of political settlement of the Indo-Pakistani conflict are far from being exhausted", the document stresses.