Call to isolate terrorists
Germany, EU back India's proposal
From G. Sudhakar Nair

BERLIN, Oct 1 — Germany and the European Union have backed India’s call for global efforts to urgently tackle the menace of international terrorism.

Various dimensions of terrorism and measures to combat it figured during wide-ranging talks External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh had with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and External Relations Commissioner in the European Commission Chris Patten yesterday.

While endorsing India’s proposal for global efforts to fight terrorism, Mr Fischer during a two-hour dinner meeting with Mr Jaswant Singh here last night, said the international community should work together to "isolate" terrorist groups.

The parleys at Mr Fischer’s new official residence in south-west Berlin covered a host of national, regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Terrorism also figured in the talks Mr Jaswant Singh had with Mr Patten earlier in Brussels during which the minister was told that the EU was concerned about funding for terrorism and that there was a need for "global efforts" to fight this problem.

Afghanistan, the South Asian situation and nuclear disarmament also figured during the first foreign minister level contact between India and Germany since the change of governments in both the countries last year.

Official sources said Mr Jaswant Singh reiterated India’s position that India would not stand in the way of the CTBT coming into force. The sources said Mr Jaswant Singh told Mr Fischer that India was working for a national consensus on the issue.

Indian officials said Mr Patten stressed that further strengthening of relations with India was a priority issue of the European Union.

Patten said the process of economic liberalisation undertaken by India made the country attractive for enhanced foreign investment.

Noting that the EU was India’s largest trading partner, Mr Jaswant Singh said New Delhi too was keen to step up economic ties with it.

It was agreed that officials from both sides would hold discussions ahead of the forthcoming WTO ministerial meeting at Seattle. It was agreed that more effort should be made by both sides to understand each other’s position on the Millennium Round.

Mr Jaswant Singh explained India’s position on the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT). New Delhi has maintained efforts at forging consensus on the issue would be undertaken after the new government assumes office at the Centre.

This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to the headquarters of the EU and also the first contact between the Indian Government and the new European Commission, headed by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi, which took office last month.

Mr Patten accepted Mr Jaswant Singh’s invitation to visit India. Mr Jaswant Singh suggested that this opportunity could be used for a round table dialogue with the EU on further strengthening bilateral relations.