Af-Pak situation, a concern to entire world: Putin

Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday expressed concern over terror groups operating from within Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying it was a threat to the entire world.

Putin, who is in India on a two-day visit, said Russia understood well the concerns of India regarding banned terror outfits operating against it from within Pakistan's soil.

He added in equal measure that Islamabad had in the recent months initiated action against those groups.

Participating in a video conference with businessmen from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, Putin said, "As far as terror groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan are concerned, it is a matter of worry for the entire region and in fact, the whole world."

He said due to the proximity of India and Russia to Afghanistan border, the situation in the troubled Asian country 'did impact the security' of both the two countries.

"Parts of Afghanistan's soil continues to be used by terror groups. We understand the concerns of India regarding the activities of banned outfits in Pakistan," he said.

However, "Lets be realistic... Pakistan has taken action against those outfits in the last few months," he added.

"We hope addressing the problem (of terror groups) will be in the best interest of Pakistan. We need to support those efforts," he said.

Putin said India and Russia were concerned over terror activities and were strategic partners in the fight against terror.

Image: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi speaks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during their meeting in New Delhi on Friday

Photograph: B Mathur / Reuters