Indian Prime Minister's Visit To Russia Expected To Bring Up Bilateral Relations

In the course of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's talks with Indian leaders within the framework of his official visit to New Delhi, May 3 through 5, the sides reiterated their adherence to the course toward stepping up bilateral strategic partnership. According to a report circulated Saturday by the Russian Foreign Ministry, both sides stress the important positive role of that course in the process of strengthening regional stability and in arranging a fair, multipolar world order. The work to prepare the official visit to Moscow this fall by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee proceeded from the above, notes the ministry report. The sides are confident that the forthcoming visit will raise the versatile Russian-Indian relationship to a higher qualitative level. In the course of Delhi negotiations, urgent matters of bilateral relations and international problems were discussed alongside practical steps to implement agreements achieved during the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India in October 2000. It was noted that in the new international environment, Russia and India bear greater responsibility in matters concerning the establishment of a stable security and stability system in the world. The sides spoke in support of strengthening the role of the United Nations and its Security Council and of strict adherence to international legal norms. The parties emphasized significance of further coordination of efforts made by Russia, India and other states to settle conflicts and crises and to actively counteract global challenges, such as international terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. The Russian Foreign Ministry indicates that India and Russia both support the policy pursued by Central Asian states to oppose terrorist forces.