The joint statement has called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks….reports Asian Lite New
US and India on Thursday strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks, according to US-India joint statement.
US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. Both countries stood together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.
They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, read the statement.
Earlier, PM Modi had highlighted the need to fight terrorism and extremism that constitutes a real threat to democracy, the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights.
Speaking during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, PM Modi said, “India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism.”
Notably, his comments come days after China blocked proposals at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba’s Sajid Mir as a “global terrorist.”
Even 15 years after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, its masterminds have not yet been brought to justice.
So the first and most critical gap to combat terrorism is to address avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists.
“The two biggest democracies of the world, India and the US can contribute towards global peace, stability and prosperity. I’m sure that on the basis of these values, we can fulfil the aspirations of the world,” said PM Modi.
Responding to China blocking proposals to designate Mir as a ‘global terrorist’, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby said that the belief in that designation speaks for itself.
Both leaders also raised concern over the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse, added the joint statement.
They welcomed the cooperation between the two governments on counterterrorism designations and homeland security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation.
Both leaders called upon the Financial Action Task Force to undertake further work identifying how to improve global implementation of its standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, added the statement.
President Biden and PM Modi reiterated their strong support for a peaceful, secure, and stable Afghanistan.
They discussed the current humanitarian situation and concurred on the need to continue to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
The leaders urged the Taliban to abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 which demands that Afghan territory should never be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist attacks, added the statement.
Committing to continue close consultations on the situation in Afghanistan, the leaders emphasized the importance of the formation of an inclusive political structure and called on the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and to respect freedom of movement.
Modi said that the decision to build engines by General Electrics through technology transfer is a landmark agreement.
“This will open new opportunities for jobs in both countries. It will be a new dimension to our defence partnership in the future,” said PM Modi.
The prime minister also spoke on peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, a shared priority of both India and the US.
“We are unanimous that the development and success of this region is important for the whole world,” said PM Modi. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday received Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
The president, the first lady and the prime minister gathered for an intimate dinner and enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, according to the White House. (ANI)