India, US decide to cooperate against terrorism

Washington, Apr 21 (UNI) India and the United States have decided to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism by sharing intelligence information, responding to counter-terrorism expeditiously and collaborate capability to deal with acts of terrorism.

This was decided at the seventh meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on counterterrorism, held here on during April 19-20.

Both sides agreed to advanced Indo-US cooperation in areas of common concern such as bio-terrorism, aviation security, advancements in biometrics, cyber-security and terrorism, WMD-terrorism, terrorist finance and money laundering and violent extremism.

According to a release from the Indian Embassy here, both the countries would schedule joint counterterrorism exercises and specific training programmes on priority areas. The delegations also focused on improving the current mechanisms for extradition and legal cooperation.

The Indian delegation was led by Ambassador K C Singh, Additional Secretary (International Organisations), Ministry of External Affairs. the US delegation was led by Ambassador Henry Crumpton, Coordinator for counter-terrorism, Department of State.

The next round of the Joint Working Group meeting would be held in New Delhi later this year.

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