Terrorism is a scourge which India and Russia have to address together, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said here today while welcoming a Russian Parliamentary delegation.
Observing that relationship between India and Russia is "unique and warm based on rock-solid foundations," Kumar said that the two countries have commonality of views on most of the global issues.
She earlier welcomed the delegation from the Russia's Federation Council led by its chairperson Valentina I Matvienko.
Kumar expressed her deep appreciation for Russia's support for India's candidature in its bid to secure permanent membership in the UN Security Council. She also highlighted the important role being played by India and Russia in BRICS, G20 and various other international fora.
The Lok Sabha Speaker lauded the fact that India-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group has been set up in Indian Parliament and hoped that this initiative would further consolidate interaction between the two Parliaments.
She felt that there should frequent exchange of visits between the two Parliaments.
Mentioning that the bilateral trade has shown 24 per cent increase during the last year reaching USD11 billion approximately, Kumar hoped the potential of trade would be realised so that the volume could reach USD20 billion by 2015.
Leader of the visiting delegation Matvienko said that both India and Russia are old friends and both can work together for a better world order.
She thanked Kumar for the warm hospitality and extended an invitation to her to visit Russia along with an Indian Parliamentary delegation.
