(Image source from: Freepressjournal.in)
Today, President Vladimir Putin of Russia reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his firm denunciation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 25 tourists and a local resident. This call is notable as it follows recent suggestions from certain figures within the Pakistani establishment advocating for Russian and Chinese involvement in probing the attack. President Putin offered his heartfelt condolences and emphasized the necessity of bringing those responsible for the atrocity to justice. According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, "President Putin @KremlinRussia_E called PM @narendramodi and strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, India. He conveyed deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives and expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism. He emphasised that the perpetrators of the heinous attack and their supporters must be brought to justice."
Both leaders reaffirmed their desire to enhance their strategic partnership further. As noted by the MEA spokesperson, "PM conveyed greetings to President Putin on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and invited him to the Annual Summit taking place in India later this year." The timing of President Putin's call is significant, coming just days after Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested in an interview that Russia, China, or Western nations could play a constructive role in solving the current crisis. During his conversation with RIA Novosti, a state-run Russian news agency, Asif stated, "I believe Russia, China, or even Western countries can have a very positive impact in this situation and could establish an investigative team to determine whether India or Modi is lying or telling the truth. An international team should investigate."
President Putin @KremlinRussia_E called PM @narendramodi and strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, India. He conveyed deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives and expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism. He emphasised that the…
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 5, 2025
Asif also mentioned that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif supports the idea of an international inquiry. "We need to uncover the true culprit behind this incident in India, in Kashmir; mere dialogue or empty declarations are ineffective. There must be concrete proof that connects Pakistan to this situation or indicates support for these individuals. Such claims without evidence are simply empty rhetoric," he remarked. The Resistance Front, which acts as a front for the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) based in Pakistan, has taken responsibility for the attack on April 22.
Moscow and New Delhi have maintained a long-standing alliance, which has only grown stronger amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as India has continued purchasing Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Beyond their bilateral ties, President Putin enjoys a close relationship with Prime Minister Modi. "Our bond is so robust that you would understand me without needing a translation," President Putin remarked during Modi's visit to Russia last October.
