India, S Arabia to enhance counter-terror cooperation

Riyadh, April 3

India and Saudi Arabia today decided to ramp up their counter-terrorism cooperation as they asked all states to dismantle terror infrastructures “where they happen to exist” and reject the use of terrorism against other countries, seen as an oblique reference to Pakistan.

The assertion was made by the two countries after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wide-ranging talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and delegation-level parleys between the two sides following which five agreements were signed.

The two countries also called on states to cut off any kind of support and financing to terrorists operating and perpetrating terrorism from their territories against other states and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice.

Read: GST will be reality soon; retro tax thing of past: Modi in Riyadh

The pacts signed included one on cooperation in the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering, terror financing and related crimes and another relating to recruitment of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia, home to around three million Indian workers.

In the talks, the Indian side indicated to Saudis that India is facing attacks from terror infrastructure in Pakistan as both sides decided to enhance their counter-terrorism cooperation.

The two sides deliberated on enhancing trade and investment ties, particularly in energy and infrastructure sectors.

Saudi Arabia is a close ally of Pakistan and its strong denouncement of terror is seen as very significant.

An official quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying that the outcome of the talks had turned a "new leaf" in bilateral ties.

A joint statement issued after the talks between Modi and King Salman, both at restricted format and delegation level, said the two leaders rejected totally any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture.

“They called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries; dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they happen to exist and to cut off any kind of support and financing to the terrorists operating and perpetrating terrorism from their territories against other states; and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice," the statement said.

"The two leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, both at the bilateral level and within the multilateral system of the UN. The two leaders called upon the international community to strengthen multilateral regimes to effectively address the challenges posed by terrorism," it said.

The Indian side was briefed on Saudi Arabia's initiative in bringing together the Islamic Alliance against terrorism.

Amar Sinha, Secretary, Economic Relations, in the External Affairs Ministry, said both sides "looked at individuals" involved in terror activities as well as financing, indicating that Riyadh was really serious in dealing with the menace.

Modi and the King also emphasised on the need to further cement bilateral strategic engagement, including in the areas of security and defence cooperation.

They agreed to intensify bilateral defence cooperation, conduct of joint military exercises, exchange of visits of ships and aircraft and supply of arms and ammunition and their joint development.

Acknowledging the ongoing "positive transformation" of the economies of India and Saudi Arabia, the two leaders also agreed to expand trade and investment ties to drive the strategic engagement forward.

Another pact was signed for Investment Promotion Cooperation between Invest India and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) as the two sides were keen on deeper trade and economic ties.

Two other pacts were also signed, one on technical cooperation programme between the Bureau of Standards of both countries and another on cooperation in the field of handicrafts.

Earlier, Modi was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome as the entire Saudi cabinet including the Crown Prince and the Deputy Crown Prince were present at the Royal Court.

The King also hosted a lunch for the Prime Minister where a lavish spread was laid.

Modi conferred highest Saudi civilian honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash, on Sunday, the second and final day of his visit to the Gulf kingdom.

"In a special gesture, PM @narendramodi was conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The honour is named after founder of the modern Saudi state, Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Among other notable recipients of this honour are US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. — PTI/IANS