Vladimir Putin Offers India and Pakistan Help in Solving Conflict

At a meeting with President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraff, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that 'recent announcements of the leadership of this country concerning its relationship with India fill me with optimism'. As the president's press service announced, Putin offered to discuss 'what can be done together, in order not only to temporarily calm the Indo-Pakistani conflict, but to preclude future confrontation'.

The Russian president expressed his satisfaction that communication between Russia and Pakistan has been greatly improving. In his turn, Musharraf expressed his readiness to work more frequently with the Russian leadership.

At a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Russian president offered help in easing the Indo-Pakistani conflict. In Putin's judgement, the Pakistani president 'gave a range of serious, positive signals' in relation to the solution of the conflict.

The Russian leader reiterated that Russia emphatically condemns the assault on the Indian Parliament and the barbaric act of terrorism on May 14 in the town of Jamm.