Moscow: Ahead of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's visit to Russia, Moscow has
echoed New Delhi's stand on Kashmir issue that Islamabad must end exporting
terrorists into India before any meaningful dialogue between the two neighbours
could begin.
"The dialogue between the two countries could be resumed, given Pakistan meets its
obligations to bar militants from crossing the line of control (LoC) into Jammu and
Kashmir, and to liquidate terrorist infrastructure," Russian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said on February 3.
Yakovenko's comments came after Musharraf was quoted by Russian news agencies as
saying that during his visit beginning on February 4 he would seek Moscow's help in
resolving Kashmir issue with India.
Musharraf, who is first Pakistani head of state in 30 years to visit Russia, also
charged India with 'deliberately obstructing' the solution of Kashmir issue.
"In its bilateral contacts with Pakistan, Russia lays emphasis on the situation in
South Asia. In our opinion, normalisation of India-Pakistan relations would meet the
interests of these countries, strengthen stability and security in the South Asian
sub-continent," Yakovenko was quoted as saying by government-run RIA Novosti agency.
He said Russia intended to inter-act with Islamabad with the aim of settling all
differences and advancing towards mutually advantageous ties in all areas, with no
damage involved for the relations with Russia's traditional partners.
"Islamabad is aware of our concerns over the threats of terrorism, extremism and
illegal drug-trafficking emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan," Yakovenko said.
"We pay Pakistan its due for participation in the anti-terror campaign in
Afghanistan and Musharraf administration's moves to neutralise Islamic militant
organisl ions in Pakistan.
"But we expect Islamabad to fulfil its anti-terror obligations before the world
community to put an end to the proliferation of terrorists escaping vengeance to
other countries," Yakovenko said.
Earlier, during his informal summit in November with US President George W Bush,
President Vladimir Putin had expressed his indignation at Musharraf's inability to
crack down on Taleban and al-Qaida leaders and supporters inside his country.
During his three-day Russia visit, Musharraf is expected to make an attempt to bury
the past when Pakistan was a bridgehead of the West in containing the ex-Soviet
Union's Southward expansion.
PTI
