India, US to coordinate global counter-terrorism efforts

WASHINGTON: Assessing the global terror threat, India and US today agreed for closer interaction and cooperation to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts, including crack down on terrorist finance and money laundering.

In a joint statement after the meeting of the 11th US- India Counter-terrorism Joint Working Group, the two countries asked the international community to join hands to combat the menace in a "long-term, sustained and comprehensive manner".

"It is imperative for the international community to come together to combat terrorism in a long-term, sustained, and comprehensive manner," the statement said.

It also called upon all states to abide by their commitments under the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2006.

Vivek Katju, Special Secretary for International Organisations, led the Indian delegation at the meeting, while the US delegation was led by Daniel Benjamin, the US Secretary of State's Coordinator for Counter-terrorism.

The two sides focused on assessing the terrorist threat, fighting terrorism through technological advancements and counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the US.

Both sides agreed to identify measures to strengthen institutional linkages leading to closer interaction and cooperation. Other issues discussed included terrorist finance and money laundering, capacity building and expanded information sharing.