New Delhi: In a strong reaffirmation of their strategic partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday underlined the need for an uncompromising international campaign against terrorism, emphasizing that no act of terror can ever be justified, irrespective of ideological, religious, or political motivations. Speaking at a joint media interaction following their annual bilateral summit in New Delhi, both leaders stressed that terrorism is a direct assault on humanity and called for coordinated global action devoid of double standards or hidden agendas.

“The scourge of terrorism is not limited by borders or ideology,” Prime Minister Modi said in Hindi. “Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack at Crocus City Hall, the root of all such incidents is the same. Terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity, and global unity against it is our greatest strength.”

The Pahalgam attack, which occurred in Jammu and Kashmir in April this year, was carried out by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, while the Crocus City Hall attack in March 2024 in Russia was claimed by the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP). By citing these incidents, Modi and Putin highlighted the transnational nature of modern terrorism, underscoring that international cooperation is crucial to effectively counter terror networks.

Zero-Tolerance Policy and UN Framework

According to the joint statement issued after the summit, India and Russia reiterated their zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and affirmed their commitment to the speedy finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the United Nations framework. Both leaders emphasized that all acts of terrorism, regardless of the perpetrator’s claimed justification, are criminal and unjustifiable.

They called for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, and their affiliates, highlighting key objectives such as:

• Eliminating terrorists’ safe havens and disrupting networks providing shelter or operational space to extremists.
• Countering the spread of terrorist ideology, including through online platforms and social media.
• Halting cross-border movement of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters.
• Eliminating terrorist financing channels and curbing their nexus with transnational crime.

Both leaders stressed the primary responsibility of states in preventing and responding to terrorism, reinforcing the idea that international collaboration is most effective when national authorities actively engage in counter-terror measures.

Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies

The joint statement also drew attention to the challenges posed by new and emerging technologies, which terrorist groups increasingly exploit for recruitment, fundraising, and operational planning. India and Russia recalled the special meeting of the UN Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee held in India in October 2022, which culminated in the Delhi Declaration. This declaration addressed concerns regarding:

• Misuse of information and communications technologies, including payment systems and social media platforms.
• Exploitation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for terrorist attacks.
• Radicalization and dissemination of extremist ideology in the online space.

Both countries expressed readiness to enhance cooperation in the cybersecurity domain, focusing on preventing radicalization, disrupting online terrorist networks, and sharing best practices to safeguard digital infrastructure.

Coordination on Afghanistan

Another key area of discussion was Afghanistan, where India and Russia emphasized the importance of close coordination through the Moscow Format meetings. Both leaders welcomed counter-terrorism measures against Islamic State, IS-Khorasan Province, and affiliated groups, asserting that a comprehensive approach in Afghanistan was essential for regional stability.

The joint statement also highlighted the humanitarian dimension of the Afghan crisis. Modi and Putin underscored the urgent need to ensure continuous and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, particularly women, children, and vulnerable communities, while simultaneously preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists.

Shared Strategic Vision

President Putin, while addressing the media, highlighted the strong personal rapport between the two leaders, noting that regular dialogues and summits had strengthened the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. “We are closely coordinating with India on counter-terrorism efforts and have established mechanisms to address emerging threats jointly,” he said. Putin also acknowledged Modi’s comprehensive presentation of the security challenges faced by India, stating, “We will act on these issues in close cooperation with the Indian authorities.”

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri added that both countries had reaffirmed their commitment to jointly combat all forms of terrorism, reiterating India’s zero-tolerance stance and Russia’s support for India’s counter-terror efforts.

Global Implications

The Modi-Putin joint declaration on terrorism sends a clear signal to the international community that terrorism cannot be selectively condemned or tolerated based on political interests. By calling for action without “hidden agendas and double standards,” both leaders emphasized the principle that global security requires universal adherence to norms and coordinated enforcement.

Their joint position also reflects India and Russia’s commitment to strengthening multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, in countering terrorism. The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, long under discussion at the UN, remains a priority framework for both nations, aimed at creating a legally binding international instrument to criminalize terrorism comprehensively.

Conclusion

The annual India-Russia summit underscored the shared vision of both countries in combating terrorism, emphasizing coordinated action across borders, sectors, and technologies. Prime Minister Modi’s assertion that terrorism is “a direct assault on humanity” and President Putin’s pledge of support reflect a joint commitment to eliminate extremist networks, disrupt financing channels, and prevent radicalization.

As global threats evolve, the India-Russia partnership highlights the need for strategic cooperation, diplomatic coordination, and adherence to international law to ensure that terrorism does not find safe havens or exploit ideological divides. With the dual focus on counter-terror operations, humanitarian assistance, and emerging technologies, both countries aim to lead by example, promoting global unity against terror while safeguarding international peace and security.

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