India-U.S. Joint Declaration on Combatting Terrorism

Sushma Swaraj & John Kerry 150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Washington, DC September 22, 2015.

India and the US on Tuesday kicked off the first strategic and commercial dialogue with a focus on boosting trade ties and enhancing regional security ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Barack Obama.

US secretary of state John Kerry    and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj  highlighted the priority areas in bilateral ties as they inaugurated the India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.

Swaraj said India and US are on a path of increased cooperation.

“This is a very busy time for India and US relations. Its important that we set timelines to achieve our targets,” she said thanking Kerry for very fruitful discussions between the two countries ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US.

Kerry said India and the US can together shape up more secure and prosperous future

The occasion of the inaugural India-U.S. Strategic and Commercial Dialogue  provided opportunity to discuss  specifics of substantive cooperative agenda shaped by increasing convergences of strategic interests and mutual concerns, including in the Indian Ocean Region and the Asia-Pacific:

  • Reaffirm the commitment of India and the United States to combat terrorism in all its forms, which constitutes a profound threat to global peace and security, and to uphold our common values of democracy, justice, and the rule of law;
  • Reaffirm President Obama’s and Prime Minister Modi’s vision to transform the U.S.-India relationship into a defining counterterrorism partnership for the 21st century;
  • Reiterate the threat posed by entities such as Al-Qa’ida and its affiliates, Lashkar-e-Tayibba,Jaish-e-Mohammad, D Company, and the Haqqani Network, and other regional groups    that seek to undermine stability in South Asia;
  • Call for Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attack;
  • Strongly condemn the July 27, 2015 terrorist attack in Gurdaspur, Punjab, and August5, 2015, attack in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir;
  • Recognize the serious threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh to global security and affirm  efforts to degrade and defeat this threat in accordance with the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2178, 2170, and 2199;
  • Recall the signing of the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative (CCI) and establishment of the Homeland Security Dialogue in 2010, as well as India’s membership in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF);
  • Recall theMemorandum of Understanding signed in January 2015  between the U.S. Department of Treasury and India’s Ministry of Finance to enhance cooperation against money laundering and terrorism financing;
  • Applaud the 15 year anniversary of the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and the provision of Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) training for more than 1100 Indian security personnel since 2009;
  • Recognize India’s participation in the February 2015 White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism; and,
  • Reaffirm their support for a UN Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism that advances and strengthens the framework for global cooperation and reinforces that no cause or grievance justifies terrorism.

 

Additionally, Minister Swaraj and Secretary Kerry Commend:

  • The continuing efforts to finalize   a bilateral agreement to expand intelligence sharing and terrorist watch-list information;
  • The meeting of the U.S.-India Terrorist Designations Exchange in July 2015 to strengthen cooperation on domestic terrorist designations, including implementation of UN 1373 (2001), and on international designations pursuant to UN 1267/1989;
  • The proposed next round of the Counterterrorism Joint Working Group in early 2016;
  • The discussions on cyber security at the U.S-India Cyber Dialogue in August 2015 and continuing close cooperation on cyber security and information sharing;
  • Progress toward India’s entry into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Global Entry Program;
  • The inclusion of Mumbai in the Strong Cities Network, a forum to build sub-national resiliency against violent extremism;
  • Continuing discussions on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance;
  • The U.S.-India Megacity Policing Exchange, an initiative to deepen collaboration on training and community policing between local and state law enforcement;
  • Progress toward a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian National Police Academy (Hyderabad) and the New York Police Department;
  • The proposed next meeting of the Homeland Security Dialogue in early 2016.

 

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