Singh's assessment on ways to deal with terrorism was shared by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who told a joint news conference after the annual Indo-Russian Summit talks at the Kremlin that the two countries are suffering from terror attacks and there should be intensified global cooperation to evolve counter-terrorism strategies.
"We should use every means to have pinpointed action against terrorism," Medvedev said, adding that that the two countries should consolidate their counter-terrorism strategies that could be one of the 'main' areas of bilateral cooperation.
A joint declaration issued after the talks said Russia expresses solidarity and support for India's demand for bringing to book the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks.
Medvedev said India and Russia should provide each other with inputs on ways to deal with terrorism. The prime minister favoured greater cooperation between India and Russia to meet the grave challenges of terrorism and extremism emanating from the region.
Medvedev said the safety of nuclear weapons was a 'sensitive issue.' "There is a need to ensure that nuclear assets are in safe hands and do not fall into the hands of extremists," the president said in an apparent reference to situation in Pakistan in the backdrop of reports of a threat of extremist and terror elements taking control of atomic assets in that country.
During discussions on regional issues at the one-on- one meeting and at the delegation level talks, Singh said India and Russia have agreed to enhance their cooperation to meet the grave challenges of terrorism and religious extremism that emanate from 'our region and threaten both our societies.'
"Both India and Russia have an interest in a stable, prosperous and moderate Afghanistan, and we have agreed to regularly consult each other on the important issue," he said.
