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India condemns 'cowardly' act of
terror in Russia

India on Thursday condemned the terrorist act in Moscow in which several hundreds people were taken hostage in a theatre.

"India denounces this cowardly act of terrorism directed against a friendly state," a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.

India expressed sympathy and solidarity with the people of Russia and hoped that the standoff would end soon.

Asserting that cooperation between India and Russia in combating terrorism constituted an important component of the strategic partnership between the two countries, the statement said, "This commitment was reiterated in the Moscow Declaration on Terrorism, which was signed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President [Vladimir] Putin in Moscow in November last year."

India believed that terrorist acts could not be justified on any ground and terrorism must be eradicated wherever it occurred, the statement said.

"The primary reason for continued acts of terrorism around the world is the support and assistance that such activities receive from outside forces," it said.

"The international community needs to take firm and decisive steps against all states, individuals and entities which render support, harbour, finance, instigate or train terrorists or promote terrorism," it added.

PTI

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