Moscow sticks to position on Kashmir even amid Putin-Xi bonhomie

Notwithstanding President Vladimir Putin’s all important visit to China, which has been backing Pakistan’s position to internationalise the Kashmir, Russia on Sunday affirmed its decades-old principled position on Kashmir –– non-interference in bilateral disputes and no role for third party in Indo-Pakistan matters.

A Russian government statement issued on Sunday also emphasised that any solution should be based on agreed agreements, including the 1972 Shimla Pact and the 1999 Lahore Declaration.

While Moscow has formed closer partnership with Beijing as part of their global strategy to counter the USA and Putin’s close understanding with the Chinese President was evident last week amid the Ukraine crisis, the two do not share similar views on the Kashmir issue. China is in favour of internationalising the matter including at the UN but Russia has consistently favoured a solution under bilateral format, highly placed sources told ET.


Highlighting the Russian government’s position on Kashmir, Sunday’s statement pointed out that “the Russian official position on the issue of Kashmir and Russia’s principled stance on non-interference in bilateral disputes remain unchanged. The solution should be found between India and Pakistan only, and it should be based on the achieved agreements, including the Shimla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999.”

The statement also comes in the backdrop of Berlin-based Russia “state-affiliated media” documentary on Kashmir that created huge controversy and “likened the situation to Palestine”. But Moscow distanced itself from the media group.

The Sunday’s statement read, “the misleading label of this channel in Twitter as “Russia state-affiliated media” does not make it automatically related to any state support. The channel functions independently with regard to its editorial policy. However, it is hoped that the complexity and historical background of this and other regional issues will be given due understanding and a balanced approach, which is expected from any professional media”.

ET has learnt that New Delhi and Moscow held hectic parleys in both capitals over the weekend to address the controversy that could have snowballed into a crisis undermining Russia’s traditional position on Kashmir.

When leader of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev visited India in 1955, he famously remarked in Srinagar, “We are so near that if ever you call us from the mountain top we will appear at your side”.

The erstwhile Soviet Union had vetoed a number of resolutions on Kashmir in the UNSC during the Cold War period and blocked internationalisation of what is essentially a bilateral issue. In the UN Security Council Resolutions in 1957, 1962 and 1971, Russia was the only country which vetoed resolutions seeking UN interventions in Kashmir.

And in August 2019, Russia became the first P-5 country to describe India’s move on Kashmir (scrapping Article 370 and bifurcation of the state) as purely an internal matter and called for resolution under the Shimla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999. In January 2020, when other envoys were visiting Kashmir, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said here, “I do not feel there is a reason for me to travel. This is an internal matter belonging to the Constitution of India... This is not an issue for Russia. Those who believe that this is an issue, those who are concerned about the situation in Kashmir, those who doubt the Indian policies in Kashmir can travel and see for themselves.”

India and Russia are close counter-terror and security partners and Moscow has backed India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.