A day after they signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced a deep cooperation in countering terrorism by adopting a policy of zero tolerance towards the menace. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, India-UAE said the two sides will also coordinate efforts to counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was in India as the chief guest at 68th Republic Day celebrations. He and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks on Wednesday where they resolved to strengthen cooperation in key areas like defence, security and counter-terrorism.
The two leaders acknowledged the common threat posed by terrorism to peace and security and said that terrorism had no justification while condemning efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries. They further deplored efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and pointed out the responsibility of all States to control the activities of the so-called ‘non-state actors’. The two leaders agreed that resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that provide shelter to terrorists and their activities.
Both sides noted the importance of efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, their financing and movement, in accordance with the relevant principles and purposes of the UN Charter and international laws. They deplored the use of double standards in addressing the menace of international terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism both at the bilateral level and within the multilateral system. In this regard, UAE backed Indian efforts for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated the support extended by UAE security agencies on specific issues of security concern to India. The two leaders reiterated that the ongoing close cooperation on a range of security issues, particularly on counter-terrorism, maritime security and cyber-security remained a key pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership.
Acknowledging the importance of the ongoing bilateral security cooperation for ensuring a conducive and peaceful environment for the progress and development of the two countries, the two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in the fields of law enforcement, anti-money laundering, smuggling of fake currency, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal migration and other transnational organized crimes.
The Indian side expressed deep appreciation for the solidarity expressed by the UAE on the terrorist attacks on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot in January 2016 and on the Army headquarters in Uri in September 2016. The two leaders strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Kabul and Kandahar on 10 January 2017, in which four UAE diplomats were killed. They underscored the need to bring the perpetrators of these dastardly and cowardly acts to justice.