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Russia expresses 'serious' concern over Indo-Pak tension

Russia on Thursday joined the United States and China in voicing 'serious' concern over growing tension in Indo-Pak relations, even as it backed India's demand for Islamabad to crackdown on Pak-based terrorist outfits responsible for the December 13 attack on the Indian Parliament.

In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said that judging from the Indian media and the statements of Indian leaders, Delhi is 'inclined to link this act with the activities of a number of Kashmiri separatist organisations based in Pakistan'.

"India is urging Islamabad to punish the perpetrators of this terrorist act and stop supporting the extremist organisations behind this," it noted.

"In this context," the statement said, "it would be proper to refer to the Moscow Declaration of Russia and India on international terrorism signed during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Russia visit on November 6, 2001."

"Moscow and Delhi have resolutely condemned the states, individuals, groups and organisations, which support, harbour, finance, incite and train terrorists or perpetrate terrorism," the statement said.

The statement also said that a political dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad should be resumed in the spirit of Lahore Declaration.

Complete Coverage: The Attack on Parliament

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