NEW DELHI : Cooperation in Counter-terrorism is going to get a boost during the coming visit of President Barack Obama to India during which he would be the chief guest at the Republic day function on January 26.
The two countries are working fast on putting in place a mechanism for exchanging terrorist watch-list, which is considered important for preventing future terror acts. Though the two countries have already close cooperation in this area, the protocol in respect of the terrorist watch-list has not happened yet.
Signing of protocols to be followed in the exchange of terrorist watch-lists is taken by the US Government as a very effective counter-terror measure.
Dr Sanjeev Kumar of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) says that signing of the protocol on terror would be a major step forward in further deepening the counter-terror cooperation between the two countries. This would come under deepening threat of radical Islamist outfits threatening India and its extended neighbourhood. The scheduled drawdown of the US forces from Afghanistan and likely weakening of resistance to terrorist groups like Taliban and Al Qaeda, and the rise of the ISIS has given urgency to the strengthening of measures to counter the menace. Cyber security which is also closely linked with terror menace, will also be a focus area during the talks between Mr Obama and Prime Minister Modi.
Mr Obama is coming just after four months of Mr Modi’s visit to the US, and he is the first US President to visit India twice. US Secretary of State John Kerry is aleady in India to discuss the various aspects and issues relating to Mr Obama’s visit. (AGENCIES)
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