First Deputy of the Russian Foreign Minister Anatoly Safonov told journalists in New Delhi that "both Russia and India understand it pretty well that they have a solid political and economic basis to discuss such a topic." According to Mr Safonov, during the talks the parties exchanged their views on developments in hot spots such as South Asia, Africa, Central and South-West Asia, the North Caucasus, Afghanistan as well as Europe.
Participants of the meeting informed each other on efforts taken by the parties to fight national terrorism. In particular, the Indian party welcomed the information on the stabilization of the situation in Chechnya provided by the Russian party.
The negotiators touched upon cooperation between Russia and India in this field in the UN framework and in the framework of other international organizations and arrived at the conclusion that it was necessary to reinforce the international legal basis to fight terrorism. The working group considered ways to cut financial support of terrorist organizations.
Moreover, suppression of maritime banditry was a special issue on the agenda. Anatoly Safonov recalled that creation of an international anti-maritime banditry center either in the Philippines, Indonesia or Malaysia is under consideration at the moment.
Representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Federal Security Service (FSB), Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and Federal Anti-Drug Service were members of the Russian delegation. The Indian party was headed by Indian Deputy Minister of External Affairs responsible for international security issues.
The next session of the working group set up in December 2002 is scheduled for the end of 2004 in Moscow.
