Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists. This conversation came shortly after Pakistani officials publicly called for the involvement of Russia, China, or Western countries in an international investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
In an interview with a Russian news agency, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif proposed that an independent probe, led by Russia, China, or other international parties, could help clarify the facts and assess whether Pakistan was involved. The call for such an investigation was also supported by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
However, Russia firmly rejected this proposal, reiterating its full solidarity with India and indicating no intention to participate in the international inquiry.
During their discussion, both leaders reaffirmed the strong, strategic, and privileged nature of the India-Russia partnership, emphasizing that their relationship remains resilient and unaffected by external pressures. Modi also extended an invitation to Putin to visit India for the annual summit later this year, which Putin accepted.
The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group linked to the Pakistan-based, banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, underscoring the continued regional tensions. Russia's strong backing of India, even in the face of Pakistan's request for an international investigation, only strengthens the bond between India and Russia, highlighting Moscow's unwavering stance against terrorism.