India and Turkey jointly denounce terrorism

New Delhi, Feb.9 (ANI): India and Turkey on Tuesday denounced terrorism and mutually agreed to the need to recognize the threat being posed to global peace and security by terrorism besides approving that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.

On the occasion of the visit of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, to India, a join statement issued today in New Delhi stated:

It recognised that terrorism poses a grave threat to global peace and security while noting that the forces of terrorism are nourished by extremist ideologies.

The statement laid emphasis that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group and further recognised that terrorism seeks to weaken, in particular, democratic societies and polities that are based on the rule of law and committed to inclusive growth.

The joint statement has denounced those who sponsor, abet and instigate terrorism and provide them safe havens.

India and Turkey, in the joint statement, have affirmed their common commitment to fight terrorism and recognising that their counter-terrorism efforts constitute an important part of the international community's efforts to eradicate terrorism.

Both the countries have called upon the international community to comply with all the provisions of international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols as well as other related international instruments and strengthen international cooperation in this regard.

The joint statement has recognised the need for the conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism as a vital component of the international legal framework in the global struggle against terrorism; calling on the international community to conclude the Convention without further delay.

Also, both the countries have decided to enhance their cooperation in this field.

For which, Indian and Turkish officials have been tasked to work towards developing an action plan with timelines and specific measures. For this purpose, the officials will take into account the existing structures of cooperation such as the Joint Working Group against Terrorism;

The joint statement mentions that both the countries have agreed to work together and with other like-minded States for the finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the earliest. (ANI)