Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said Russia as a “great power” could convince Pakistan not to use terror against India as an instrument of state policy, observing that country’s conduct ran counter to a policy of “good neighbourliness.”
Ahead of this three-day official visit to Russia starting on Sunday, Dr. Singh without naming Pakistan said that India faced an “onset” of terrorism aided, inspired and instigated by that country.
“We believe that Russia being a great power can influence the conduct of Pakistan. Our hope is that Russia’s influence will be utilised to convince Pakistan that the strategy of using terror as an instrument of state policy is counter-productive, ” Dr. Singh said in an interview to the Russian media on the eve of his visit.
Dr. Singh, who will be in Russia on his sixth visit as prime minister since he assumed office in 2004. said, “We face in the sub-continent the onset of terrorism aided, inspired and instigated by our neighbour.”
On India’s part, Dr. Singh said that if Pakistan territory ceases to be used by terrorists India saw immense opportunities for the two countries to work together in cooperation.
“There are immense opportunities of expanding trade, investment and technology flow between our two countries.” he said.
In the wide-ranging interview before summit talks with President Dmitry Medvedev, at the Kremlin as well as meeting Premier Vladimir Putin, on Monday, Dr. Singh covered issues relating to cooperation in defence, civil nuclear energy, space and trade.
