India and the United States have agreed on “joint and concerted” efforts to dismantle the safe havens and support systems enjoyed by four top Pakistan-based terrorist and criminal networks — lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Indian fugitive Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company and the Haqqani Network, besides the Al Qaeda.
A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the first Obama-Modi bilateral summit on Tuesday did not go into details of any contemplated actions against the five outfits, but it certainly signalled greater US support for Indian positions against the likes of lashkar founder Hafiz Saeed, who has a free run in Pakistan, and Ibrahim, known to be in hiding in that country for the past many years.
Separately, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against some individuals and networks linked to leT and Harkatul Mujahideen, freezing their assets in any US jurisdiction and banning American citizens from doing business with them.
The joint statement laid out a long list of planned actions in various spheres to give a decisive push to India-US relations that have remained virtually stalled for well over a year.
It has now been announced that the two countries will deepen their defence cooperation by renewing the framework agreement for 10 more years, beginning 2015. The two leaders have directed their defence teams to develop plans for more ambitious cooperation, including reinvigorating the Political-Military Dialogue with due focus on export licensing, defence and strategic cooperation.
As part of the efforts geared to India’s phased entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and other non-proliferation and export control regimes, President Barack Obama affirmed that India meets the Missile Technology Control Regime requirements and is ready for membership of the NSG. He supported India’s early application and eventual membership in all four regimes, the other two being the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing American concerns on the impasse over implementation of the civil nuclear deal, assured: “We are serious about resolution of issues on both sides to enable civilian nuclear energy cooperation to take off. It is important for India’s energy security.”
As he wound up his five-day visit, Modi thanked President Obama and others for what he regarded as a huge successful visit. “Thank you America,” he said at his concluding engagement at the US India Business Council.
Indian officials, briefing reporters, made it clear that India would not be joining “any coalition” against the Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. New Delhi, however, would work with Washington in dealing with the issue of flight of radicalized persons to West Asia to join terror strikes.
Dealing with this matter, the joint statement confined itself to noting: “India and the United States pledged to consult closely on global crises, especially unfolding events in Syria and Iraq. The two leaders committed to exchange information about nationals returning from these conflict zones, and to seek cooperation in protecting and responding to the needs of civilians stranded in the middle of these conflicts.”
In comments to the media, Obama said he had “an outstanding discussion” with Modi on a range of issues, noting that with so much in common, it was critical for the two countries to continue to deepen and broaden their partnership.
“Throughout this conversation I’ve been impressed with the Prime Minister’s interest in not only addressing the needs of the poorest of the poor in India and revitalizing the economy there, but also his determination to make sure that India is serving as a major power that could help bring about peace and security for the entire world,” Obama said.
Modi noted that his visit and especially his conversation with President Obama “has reinforced my conviction that India and the United States are natural global partners based on our shared values, interests, and strengths in the digital age”.
“We already have the foundation of a strong partnership. We now have to revive the momentum and ensure that we get the best out of it for our people and for the world,” Modi commented.