RIYADH, Apr 3:
India and Saudi Arabia today decided to boost counter-terrorism cooperation as they asked all states to dismantle terror infrastructures “where they happen to exist” and reject the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy, seen as an oblique reference to Pakistan.
The assertion was made by the two countries after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wide-ranging talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and delegation-level parleys between the two sides following which five agreements were signed including one on cooperation in the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terror financing.
A joint statement issued after the talks called on states to cut off any kind of support and financing to terrorists operating and perpetrating terrorism from their territories against other states and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice.
The strong views by Saudi Arabia, an ally of Pakistan and one of the most influential countries in the Gulf region, is seen as an unprecedented political endorsement of New Delhi’s concerns over terrorism, extremism and radicalisation.
Reflecting growing congruence in ties, the two sides also decided to ramp up defence cooperation including in maritime sphere and agreed to expand engagement in energy and infrastructure sector.
In the talks, the two leaders also rejected totally any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture as they agreed to promote cooperation in cyber security, including prevention of use of cyber space for terrorism and radicalisation.
“They called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries; dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they happen to exist and to cut off any kind of support and financing to the terrorists operating and perpetrating terrorism from their territories against other states; and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice,” the statement said.
“The two leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, both at the bilateral level and within the multilateral system of the UN. The two leaders called upon the international community to strengthen multilateral regimes to effectively address the challenges posed by terrorism,” it said.
The Indian side was briefed on Saudi Arabia’s initiative in bringing together the Islamic Alliance against terrorism.
Modi and King Salman expressed strong condemnation of the phenomenon of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of who the perpetrators were and of their motivations.
The pacts signed also included one on relating to recruitment of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia, home to around three million Indian workers.
During his talks with the King, Modi also took up the cases of Indians who are serving sentences in the Kingdom for minor offences.
“The Saudi Government has agreed to look at the cases sympathetically and constitute a review mechanism with immediate effect,” the Prime Minister said.
In the talks, the Indian side indicated to Saudis that India is facing attacks from terror infrastructure in Pakistan as both sides decided to enhance their counter-terrorism cooperation.
Saudi Arabia is a close ally of Pakistan and its strong denouncement of terror is seen as very significant.
An official quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying that the outcome of the talks had turned a “new leaf” in bilateral ties.
The statement said the two sides agreed to work together towards the adoption of India’s proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.
Amar Sinha, Secretary, Economic Relations, in the External Affairs Ministry, said both sides “looked at individuals” involved in terror activities as well as financing, indicating that Riyadh was really serious in dealing with the menace.
He said the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and capacity-building and to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug-trafficking and other transnational crimes.
The two sides also agreed to take action against illegal transfer of money. Sinha said the pact on cooperation in exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terror financing was a major step.
On energy security, the two leaders agreed to transform the buyer-seller relationship in the energy-sector to one of deeper partnership focusing on investment and joint ventures in petrochemical complexes and cooperation in joint exploration in India, Saudi Arabia and in third countries.
Modi and the King also emphasised on the need to further cement bilateral strategic engagement, including in the areas of security and defence cooperation.
They agreed to intensify bilateral defence cooperation, conduct of joint military exercises, exchange of visits of ships and aircraft and supply of arms and ammunition and their joint development.
“The two leaders directed their relevant agencies to coordinate efforts to counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred, perpetrating and justifying terrorism for pursuing political aims,” the joint statement said.
The Saudi side expressed its interest in investing in infrastructure development in India, especially in priority areas such as railways, roads, ports, and shipping.
Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman also called on Modi after the talks.
Modi and the King also agreed to enhance cooperation to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean regions, vital for the security and prosperity of both countries. (PTI)
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