India and Russia on Friday condemned in strong terms the existence of “safe havens” for terrorism, asserting that states that “aid, abet or shelter” terrorists were as guilty of such acts as their perpetrators.
In a joint statement issued after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the two countries said there was no justification for any act of terrorism and all states needed to combine efforts to vanquish the menace.
“They strongly condemned the existence of safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorism, and reiterated that States that aid, abet or shelter terrorists were as guilty of acts of terrorism as their actual perpetrators,” the statement without naming any country.
It said India and Russia being pluralistic states were especially vulnerable to acts of terrorism “which are attacks against the values and freedoms, enshrined in their societies”.
Both sides reaffirmed that international terrorism is a threat to peace and security, a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity.
They also reaffirmed that the United Nations had a central role in the combat against international terrorism and called for an early adoption of the UN’s draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Taking into account the fact that illicit drug trafficking had become one of the main financial sources of international terrorism, the two sides stressed on the importance of joint bilateral and multilateral efforts in the fight against it.
