India and the United States have a joint commitment to fight against violent extremism, a top US official has said.
"United States and India have a joint commitment to fight against violent extremism," State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters yesterday.
"You know the kind that impacts the people of India or the kind that impacts anywhere around the world. India has unfortunately suffered at the hands of terrorists," she said.
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"They understand this issue and our co-operation, law enforcement and counter terrorism is extremely strong and robust," Trudeau said.
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"More recently Russia has lost major contracts to other key weapons suppliers, threatening its longstanding supplier relationship with India. Russian sales of advanced weaponry in South Asia have been a matter of ongoing concern to the United States because of long-standing tensions between Pakistan and India. The United States sought to expand its military cooperation with and arms sales to India as part of the US strategic shift to the Asia-Pacific region," the report said.
After lifting its arms embargo in 2014, Russia signed an agreement with Pakistan for four MI-35 attack helicopters.
"This sale marks a shift in Russian foreign policy towards Pakistan," the report said.
During the mid-1990s, Russia sold major combat fighter aircraft and main battle tanks to India, and has provided other major weapon systems through lease or licensed production, the report said.
It continues to provide support services and items for these various weapon systems, it said.
