NEW DELHI - Identifying terrorism as a major challenge, India and the US on Sunday stressed the need for joint and concerted efforts to disrupt terror entities including LeT and the Haqqani Network and asked Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 terror attack to justice.
After his talks with President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a joint press conference said there should be no distinction between terrorist groups and pressed for countries to fulfil their commitment to wipe out terror safe havens and bring them to justice. He said India and the US have agreed that there was a need for comprehensive global strategy and approach to combat terrorism.
Earlier in the day, in a glow of bonhomie the two leaders unveiled a deal aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in nuclear trade, a step that both sides hope will help establish an enduring strategic partnership, besides deciding to jointly produce military hardware including advanced drones.
A joint statement issued after the talks said, “The leaders reaffirmed the need for joint and concerted efforts to disrupt entities such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad and the Haqqani Network, and agreed to continue ongoing efforts through the Homeland Security Dialogue as well as the next round of the US-India Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism in late 2015 to develop actionable elements of bilateral engagement.”
They also agreed to enter discussions to deepen collaboration on UN terrorist designations, and reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice, it said. The president and the prime minister further agreed to continue to work toward an agreement to share information on known and suspected terrorists.
“Terrorism remains a principal global threat. It is taking on a new character, even as existing challenges persist,” Modi said. He said the two countries agreed that they need a “comprehensive global strategy and approach” to combat it. “There should be no distinction between terrorist groups. Every country must fulfil its commitments to eliminate terrorist safe havens and bring terrorists to justice,” he said, adding that the two countries will deepen their bilateral security cooperation against terrorist groups.
Obama thanked Modi for India’s “strong counter-terrorism cooperation”. He said as America’s combat mission is over in Afghanistan, “We are going to continue to be strong and reliable partners for the Afghan people who have benefited from India’s generous assistance over many years”.
Signalling his determination to take ties to a higher level, Modi broke with protocol to meet and bear-hug Obama as he landed in New Delhi earlier in the day. It was a remarkable spectacle given that, just a year ago, Modi was persona non grata in Washington and denied a visa to the United States. “We are committed to moving towards full implementation.... This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship,” Obama told a joint news conference with Modi upon his arrival in the Indian capital on a three-day state visit.
The two leaders walked and talked together in an elegant garden and sat outside over tea. Modi, who sold tea on a railway platform as a child, poured a cup for Obama. After a working lunch that included kebabs made with lotus stem, figs and spices, the two leaders got down to talks and emerged with deals on defence and nuclear cooperation.
They successfully broke the 7-year-old logjam in operationalising a landmark civil nuclear deal by reaching an understanding on two issues that, despite the groundbreaking 2006 agreement, had stopped US companies from setting up reactors in India and became one of the major irritants in bilateral ties. The new deal resolved differences over the liability of suppliers to India in the event of a nuclear accident and US demands on tracking the whereabouts of material supplied to the country, US ambassador to India Richard Verma told reporters.
The deals included renewing of an enhanced Defence Framework Agreement for the next ten years and identification of four key “pathfinder projects” for joint development and production including the next generation Raven mini UAVs and specialised kits for C-130 military transport aircraft. Both countries also agreed on a Working Group to explore aircraft carrier technology besides designing and development of jet engine technology. They also agreed to a number of financing initiatives aimed at helping India increase its use of renewable energy.
But Modi cautioned that work was still needed to create a solid partnership between the world’s two largest democracies. “We have to convert a good start into lasting progress. This requires translating our vision into sustained action and concrete achievements,” he said, standing next to Obama.
Today (Monday), Obama will be the first US president to attend India’s Republic Day parade, an annual show of military might long associated with the anti-Americanism of the Cold War, and will host a radio show with Modi. His presence at the parade at Modi’s personal invitation is the latest revival in a roller-coaster relationship between the two largest democracies that just a year ago was in tatters.
Up to 40,000 security personnel have been deployed for the visit and 15,000 new closed-circuit surveillance cameras have been installed in the capital, according to media reports. Obama will depart slightly early from India to travel to Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah, instead of a planned visit to the Taj Mahal.
The United States views India as a vast market and potential counterweight to China’s assertiveness in Asia, but frequently grows frustrated with the slow pace of economic reforms and unwillingness to side with Washington in international affairs.
Elected last May, Modi has injected a new vitality into the economy and foreign relations and, to Washington’s delight, begun pushing back against China’s growing assertiveness across Asia. In a veiled reference to China, the leaders reiterated the “importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea.”
Both the countries released a ‘declaration of friendship’ outlining broad contours of engagements after Obama- Modi talks. The declaration title “Chalein saath saath; forward together we go” said India and the US agreed to elevate their long-standing strategic partnership and that each step being taken to strengthen the ties is a step towards shaping international security and regional and global peace.