Russian Bonding

Foreign Secretary says Modi thanked Putin for support on Kashmir issue

- Geeta Mohan

THE India-Russia Annual summit-level meeting took place on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the chief guest. The meeting gains significance with Russia firmly backing India on the issue of Kashmir and abrogation on key provisions of Article 370 of the Indian constitution.

Speaking to journalists after the bilateral engagement, to a question of whether if Kashmir came up, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, “Yes this issue did come up during discussion. Prime Minister Modi thanked the Russian President for his support. From what we understand, Russia stands with India on this issue.”

Alluding to non-interference, “The sides underlined the primacy of international law and emphasised their commitment to the purposes and the principles stated in the UN Charter including the inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of Member States,” said the joint statement.