Delhi, India

Simmering tensions between India and Pakistan over the past few weeks have drawm the world's attention. Now, Moscow has backed New Delhi over the brewing controversy after India's surgical strikes conducted in Pak-administered Kashmir last week. 

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Today, Indian media claimed that Russia "welcomes" India's surgical strike. This comes days after Moscow asked lslamabad to take "effective" steps to stop the activities of terrorist groups on its territory. 

"Greatest human rights violations take place when terrorists attack military installations and attack peaceful civilians in India. We welcome the surgical strike. Every country has right to defend itself," Russian embassy quoted Russia's ambassador to New Delhi, Alexander M Kadakin, as having told a news channel.

He also said his country had always been with India in fighting cross-border terrorism.

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With this, Russia became the first P-5 country to back India. 

India and Pakistan, the two South Asian nations, have been at loggerheads with each other ever since 19 Indian soldiers were killed in the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir. A war of words also ensued between the two countries at the United Nations General Assembly. 

Meanwhile, according to local media reports, Kadakin has also assured India that it does not need to worry about Russia-Pakistan joint military exercises, saying it did not take place in "Pakistan-administered Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir".

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It may also be recalled that a Russian foreign ministry statement last week had said Russia stands for "decisive struggle" against terrorism in all its manifestations.

"We are concerned with the aggravation lately of the situation along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. We are calling on the parties not to allow any escalation of tension and to settle the existing problems by political and diplomatic means through negotiations. We stand for decisive struggle against terrorism in all its manifestations. We expect that the government of Pakistan should take effective steps in order to stop the activities of terrorist groups in the territory of the country," the statement said.

As per Indian media reports, border skirmishes continue along the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan, as both the nations continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Also, the recent militant attack at an Indian Army camp in Baramulla, Kashmir, that killed one security personnel, has further increased tensions. 

(WION with inputs from DNA)