India, US condemn cross-border terror, call for 26/11 perpetrators to be brought to justice

Washington:India and the US, during the first in-person bilateral between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, condemned cross-border terrorism and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to be brought to justice, even as they reaffirmed the strength of their defence partnership.

In a joint statement, issued after the talks on Friday, the two sides denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks

The Leaders reaffirmed that the United States and India stand together in a shared fight against global terrorism, will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UN.

They noted that the upcoming U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, Designations Dialogue, and renewed U.S.-India Homeland Security Dialogue will further strengthen counterterrorism cooperation between their two countries, including in intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation.

On Afghanistan, the Leaders said the Taliban must abide by the UN Security Council 2593, adopted during India’s presidency last month, which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan.

They called on the Taliban to adhere to these and all other commitments, including on safe passage from Afghanistan and to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups. They called on the Taliban to allow full, safe, direct and unhindered access for the United Nations and all actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity. They determined to continue to closely coordinate and to work with partners toward an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans, it said.

On defence, President Biden reaffirmed the strength of the defense relationship and the unwavering commitment to India as a Major Defense Partner through close defense engagements in information sharing, sharing of logistics and military-to-military interactions, strengthening cooperation in advanced military technologies, and expanding engagements in a multilateral framework including with regional partners, it said.

They noted the recent project to co-develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, and encouraged more such joint efforts. They called upon the government and private stakeholders to use the existing ecosystems of innovation and entrepreneurship in defense industries for co-development, co-production and expanding mutual defense trade. They also looked forward to the inaugural meeting of the Industrial Security Agreement summit to facilitate high-end defense industrial collaboration.

President Biden applauded India’s strong leadership during its UN Security Council Presidency in August 2021. In this context, he also reiterated the US’ support for India’s permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council and for other countries who are important champions of multilateral cooperation and aspire to permanent seats on the UN Security Council.He also reaffirmed U.S. support for India’s entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

They welcomed the extension of the Statement of Guiding Principles on Triangular Cooperation for Global Development to leverage the combined capacities of their countries to address global development challenges around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Africa. They looked forward to the launch of the U.S.-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation to advance cooperation on health, education, and the environment, it said.

On trade, the two leaders said they looked forward to reconvening the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum before the end of 2021, to enhance the bilateral trade relationship by addressing trade concerns, identifying specific areas for increased engagement and developing an ambitious, shared vision for the future of the trade relationship. The Leaders looked forward to convening the U.S.-India CEO Forum and the Commercial Dialogue in early 2022, leveraging the talents of the private sector.

The Leaders noted ongoing negotiations on an Investment Incentive Agreement that facilitates investment in development projects and committed to an early conclusion.

The Leaders decided that the two countries must continue and expand their partnership in new domains and many areas of critical and emerging technology – space, cyber, health security, semiconductors, AI, 5G, 6G and future generation telecommunications technology, and Blockchain, that will define innovation processes, and the economic and security landscape of the next century.

They looked forward to the finalization of a Space Situational Awareness Memorandum of Understanding that will help in sharing of data and services towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities by the end of the year.

As global partners, the two nations resolved to further strengthen their collaboration in education, science and technology and people-to-people engagement. They welcomed close consultations through the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue of the Foreign and Defense Ministers of India and the United States to be held later this year.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deep appreciation for the repatriation of antiquities to India by the United States. The Leaders committed to strengthen their efforts to combat the theft, illicit trade and trafficking of cultural objects.

“Reflecting shared values and principles, and growing strategic convergence, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi resolved to advance the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, and looked forward to what the United States and India will achieve together,” it said.(UNI)