India has deep interest in controlling terror: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today underscored the country's "profound interest" in controlling "dangerous forces" of terrorism and religious extremism in its neighbourhood.

"Our neighbourhood provides the biggest infrastructure for perpetrating terrorism, religious extremism and drug trafficking the world over.

"We have, therefore, a profound interest in controlling these dangerous forces for the benefit of the international community, as well as for ensuring our internal security," Singh said in an interview to Russian media on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India.

The Prime Minister also talked about Indo-Russian cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, increasing bilateral trade volume as also India's relations with Pakistan.

He said despite the threat of cross-border terrorism, the dialogue process between India and Pakistan were moving on the "right track". 

"We intend to maintain our efforts to improve our ties with our neighbour Pakistan," the prime minister said.

The Prime Minister said it was important that "an environment of trust and confidence is created and the constituency of peace is expanded which is integral to the process of building friendly relations." 

He said despite the threat of terrorism across the border, "we are moving ahead in the right direction".