New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s three-day visit to India highlighted deepening bilateral ties and joint efforts against terrorism, with both nations calling for an end to double standards in global counterterrorism efforts.

In the Delhi Declaration, Putin and Prime Minister AB Vajpayee stressed that Pakistan must stop supporting terrorist incursions into India and implement its obligations to prevent infiltration across the Line of Control. Putin described Pakistan as a threat extending beyond South Asia due to its combination of state-backed terrorism and proliferation risks, urging the international community to treat it accordingly.

The leaders also signed eight agreements covering strategic cooperation, economic growth, science and technology, telecommunications, and the creation of a joint working group on terrorism. Both expressed disappointment at the low level of bilateral trade ($1.4 billion annually) and committed to boosting economic engagement.

On regional issues, Putin and Vajpayee reiterated support for UN principles in Iraq and underscored the importance of stabilising Afghanistan, particularly in addressing Pakistan-linked disruptions. Vajpayee described the Indo-Russian relationship as “a model for the world” and called for strict vigilance to ensure all UN members fulfill Security Council Resolution 1373 obligations to eliminate terrorism.

Putin arrived Tuesday evening and attended a private dinner hosted by Vajpayee, joined by several ministers and former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. Security measures for the Russian delegation included advanced sanitisation of their accommodations at the Maurya Sheraton, overseen by experts from the Russian Academy of Sciences.