India hits out against Taliban support to Chechnya

NEW DELHI, Jan 18 (AFP) - India on Tuesday hit out at Afghanistan's Taliban militia for recognising the independence of Chechnya and said it was supporting Russia in its fight against Chechen rebels.

India, which does not recognise the Taliban government, and Russia have committed themselves to take joint action against terrorism, India's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"India is a victim of extremism and cross-border terrorism," a statement issued by the foreign ministry said.

"The government and the people of India have expressed their full solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation as they tackle the grave crisis confronting them in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation.

"The government of India fully supports the government of the Russian Federation in the steps taken by it in the protection of its constitutional order and territorial integrity and does not welcome encouragement to forces, which undermines this."

Taliban leader Mulla Mohammad Omar decided to support the separatist Chechnyan government earlier this month.

New Delhi claims Afghan mercenaries are fighting along with Islamic militants in the disputed state of Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan.

Pakistan denies India's charge of providing military support to the Islamic separatists, although it does lend moral and diplomatic support to the campaign.

"Both India and the Russian Federation have committed themselves to take joint action against aggressive nationalism, religious and political extremism, terrorism and separatism," the Indian statement said.

"At the same time, it is the responsibility of the international community to take steps to eradicate this menace confronting us in the new millennium to enable us to make the world a safer and stable place for humankind."