Indo-US JWG on counter-terrorism decides to enhance cooperation

New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) India and the United States today agreed to find new ways to forge institutional linkages for closer cooperation against global terrorism and held discussions on bio-terrorism and threat assessments in South Asia and West Asia.

The Indo-US Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism which mere here for day-long deliberations, also discussed regional counter-terrorism efforts, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and the on-going Anti-Terrorism Assistance Training Programme.

They also discussed terrorist financing and money laundering, ideological dimensions of terrorism, information sharing and enhanced cooperation for preventing terrorist acts, the External Affairs Ministry and the US embassy here said.

The meeting is significant as it comes days after the February 18-19 Samjhauta Express explosions in which 68 people were killed, Taliban suicide attempt on the life of US Vice President Dick Cheney in Kabul and Washington's reported criticism of Pakistan's 'inadequate' handling of terrorist elements on its soil.

The Indian side at the meeting was led by Mr K C Singh, Additional Secretary, International Organisations in the External Affairs Ministry, while the US side was headed by Mr Frank Urbancic, Acting Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism.

Concurring that no country was safe from terrorism, the two countries noted that cooperation between them not only strengthened the fight, but also symbolised the way in which ''like-minded democracies'' could work together as partners in countering global terror.

The next meeting of the JWG will be held in Washington.

UNI