US And India Agree To Step Up Cooperation To Fight Terrorism

September 23, 2015 – India and the US last night signed a joint declaration on combating terrorism, part of the US-India Security and Commercial Dialogue in Washington DC.

As part of the joint declaration, the two countries listed a number of terror agencies which have come in their radar and intend to combat, such as Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, the Haqqani network and the D-Company.

The two countries said that these terror groups represent a threat to the regional stability in Asia, and called upon Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to justice.

“We have agreed to step up our cooperation in fighting the menace of terrorism,” said Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. “We have recognised the threat posed by Lashkar-e-Taiba and other groups operating from safe havens in our region and the need for Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

“I am happy that we have been able to conclude our joint declaration on combating terrorism to expand our counter-terrorism partnership.”

While talking about terrorism, the two sides also recognised the threat by the Islamic State militant group to regional security as well as to global security.

“We will be implementing measures to deepen even more our cooperation and the fight against international terrorism which has claimed too many lives in both of our countries,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Cyber security and terror financing were also discussed figured in the security talks. The stage is now set for the Obama-Modi meet that will take place in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.