India, UK discuss extremism, internet radicalisation at counter-terrorism meeting

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 16

India and United Kingdom concluded the 12th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism on Friday.

The meeting held in New Delhi was led by Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism), in MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) and Jane Marriot, Director of the Joint International Counter-Terrorism Unit in UK.

Discussions, held just days ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Horrific Mumbai terror strikes, focused on terror threats. They shared assessments on prevailing terrorist threats globally as well as in the region, including cross-border terrorism in the Af-Pak (Afghanistan-Pakistan) region, an Indian statement released on the subject said.

“They exchanged views on current counter-Terrorism challenges including countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating financing of terrorism and preventing use of internet for terrorist purposes,” the statement said.

Condemning terrorism in all its manifestations both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in dealing with challenges.

“The two sides also deliberated upon measures to deepen counter-Terrorism cooperation through regular exchange of information, mutual capacity building efforts, sharing of best practices and mutual legal assistance. Cooperation in multilateral fora such as United Nations and Financial Action Task Force was also discussed,” the MEA said.

The next round of the dialogue will be held in 2019 in London.