New Delhi: Vladimir Putin, who was among the first world leaders to condemn the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, on Monday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express Russia’s support in India’s efforts to punish the culprits.
During his conversation with Modi, the Russian President “strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, conveyed condolences at the loss of innocent lives and expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism,” External Affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post.
Putin emphasised that the perpetrators of the heinous attack and their supporters must be brought to justice, Jaiswal informed.
Modi conveyed his greetings to Putin for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Indian PM also invited Putin to India for the annual India-Russia Summit later this year.
A statement from Russian embassy quoted Putin as describing the Pahalgam terror attack as “barbaric” and said both sides emphasised the “need for an uncompromising fight against terrorism”.
“During the conversation, the strategic nature of Russian-Indian relations as a special privileged partnership was emphasised. These relations are not subject to external influence and continue to develop dynamically in all areas,” the statement said.
Putin’s call to the Indian PM is significant as it comes after a section of Pakistani politicians sought Russia and China’s involvement in the investigation into the Pahalgam massacre in which terrorists shot down 26 civilians, most of them tourists, in front of their family members.
