Russia is trying to strengthen its counter-terrorism ties with partner nations India and Iran just as the U.S. government is increasing pressure on terrorists in the Middle East.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has this week met with his Iranian counterpart, Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan, and Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar. Both high-level meetings have been geared toward capitalizing on strategic partnerships and streamlining military cooperation on combating shared threats.
“Our countries strongly condemn all acts of terror and oppose the policy of double standards in the fight against this evil,” Mr. Shoigu said while in India, according to the Russia and India Report.
Training military personnel and locating seaports where Russian naval ships can dock were also discussed between the world leaders, published reports show.
Russia’s efforts to boost military cooperation with India and Iran may be indicative of a growing support in opposing American ambitions in the Middle East, as suggested by Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan.
“Iran and Russia are able to confront the expansionist intervention and greed of the United States through cooperation, synergy and activating strategic potential capacities,” Mr. Dehghan told The Associated Press. “As two neighbors, Iran and Russia have common viewpoints toward political, regional and global issues.”
• Maggie Ybarra can be reached at mybarra@washingtontimes.com.
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