Joint
Statement of the
India-US
Washington,
DC
July 12, 2002
The fifth meeting of the India-US
Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism was held on July 11-12, 2002 in
Washington D.C. Coordinator for
Counterterrorism Francis X. Taylor hosted the meeting at the Department of
State. Joint Secretary Jayant
Prasad of the Ministry of External Affairs headed the Indian delegation.
Both delegations included officials and experts from their respective
governments in line with the multi-disciplinary approach needed to
successfully fight terrorism. The India-US Joint Working Group on
Counterterrorism was established in January 2000.
The Joint Working Group has met
three times in the past twelve months, reflecting the importance that the
two sides attach to international cooperation in combating terrorism.
The past year has been a watershed for the two democracies in
confronting the challenge of terrorism.
During this period, India and the United States have accomplished
much in their counterterrorism cooperation.
They have, inter alia:-
-
Broadened their exchange of information and assessments on the international and regional terrorist situation;
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Strengthened intelligence and investigative cooperation;
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Qualitatively upgraded and expanded anti-terrorism training programmes for Indian law enforcement officials;
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Signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty;
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Launched a bilateral Cyber Security Forum, with a wide-ranging programme of action to address of cyberterrorism and information security.
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Introduced military-to-military cooperation on counterterrorism to supplement the initiatives of the India-US Defence Policy Group in this area;
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Worked together closely on multilateral initiatives on terrorism, including on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1373;
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Initiated dialogue and cooperation in homeland/internal security, terrorist financing, forensic science transportation security and border management; and
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Taken concrete steps to detect and counter the activities of individual terrorists and organisations of concern to the two countries.
The
two delegations reviewed the international terrorist situation, including in
South Asia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
They shared their assessment of the impact of the military, law
enforcement, financial and other measures taken against terrorists and their
networks over the last six months. They
expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the campaign against Al-Qaeda,
but also recognised that the efforts of Al-Qaeda cadres and associates to
regroup in other countries and to form coalitions within other groups
continue to pose a serious threat. The
two sides agreed to further intensify intelligence sharing and coordinate
action in pursuit of the remains of Al-Qaeda members and associated
terrorist groups. The
delegations also discussed the nexus between weapons of mass destruction,
proliferation and terrorism.
The
delegations reviewed their cooperation in the areas of anti-terrorism
assistance and capacity building programmes conducted by the United States,
border monitoring, military-to-military cooperation, law enforcement
exchanges and legal assistance, internal/homeland security, counterterrorism
finance and money laundering operation, transportation and aviation security
and cyberterrorism.
The
delegations expressed their strong support for the full and effective
implementation of UNSC Resolution 1373 and the work of the UN Security
Council’s Counterterrorism Committee.
UNSCR 1373 provides a comprehensive and mandatory framework for
sustained global action against terrorism.
In addition, both sides consulted on the possibility of an early
finalisation of an effective Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism.
The
two delegations reviewed cooperation in the areas of extradition and mutual
legal assistance with a view to deepening and broadening that cooperation.
Both sides agreed to continue full cooperation in the investigation
of the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814.
Recognising
the importance of equipment and technology in strengthening counterterrorism
capability, the US Technology Support Working Group will meet with its
Indian counterpart before the next JWG. Discussions on counterterrorism
equipment between the US Department of Defence and India’s Ministry of
Defence will continue under the aegis of the Defence Policy Group.
Both sides also agreed to continue their dialogue on technology tools
for enhancing border management.
India
and the United States unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism,
whatever the supposed justification, and reaffirmed their nations’
commitments to cooperate in preventing acts of terrorism and neutralising
terrorist organisations, which are a threat to international peace and
security.
The
resolve of India and the United States to fight terrorism has never been
stronger, and their commitment to intensify bilateral cooperation in this endeavour is deeper than ever before. Nowhere
is this more evident than in the mutual support rendered in response to
terrorist attacks in the two countries.
The Joint Working Group agreed to hold its sixth meeting in New Delhi at the
beginning of 2003.
For more information, contact:
Sunil Lal,
Counsellor (Press & Information) at
(202) 939-7042