Terrorists must not be glorified: India and Bahrain

Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Bahrain which ends on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Oct 25: India and Bahrain have said that terrorists cannot be glorified as freedom fighters by anyone and urged all states to fight terrorist infrastructure whenever it exists.

This followed extensive talks in Bahrain's capital Manama on Monday between Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Bahrain Interior Minister Lt. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

Welcoming the Indian delegation, Shaikh Rashid said Bahrain had always been a link between the East and West. "We look forward to working together in the fight against terrorism and in strengthening our mutual and regional security."

Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Bahrain which ends on Tuesday.

Shaikh Rashid hailed the first meeting of the Bahrain-India Joint Steering Committee as part of an agreement signed by the two sides on counter-terrorism.

The two countries agreed that "a terrorist in one country cannot be glorified as freedom fighter by another, and called upon all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of (others), and to fight terrorist infrastructure whenever it exists".

Shaikh Rashid said Bahrain had experienced terrorist acts that caused loss of life and horrific injuries and damage to infrastructure.

He said: "The Joint Steering Committee should look at how we can work together to address challenges and to follow up the progress of the agreed decision through exchange of visits and expertise and working to achieve common goals."

Rajnath Singh described Bahrain as a civilised and open society that promotes co-existence. "Mutual visits will develop bilateral ties."

He said terrorism was a threat to the whole world and that India was ready to reinforce joint counter-terrorism cooperation with Bahrain.

The two sides agreed to exchange high-level visits to implement agreements between them.

They agreed to take a strong stand against all forms of terrorism, saying terrorism "is a hazard to all countries and communities".

"They rejected the linking of terrorism to any race, religion or culture and agreed to actively implement the counterterrorism agreement for which a joint committee was formed that held its first meeting in the sideline of the visit."

They decided to hold regular committee meetings and exchange information on ongoing terrorism-related investigation and organised crime including terrorism and drug trafficking.

They agreed to promote training courses and seminars held by the two countries for security officials to exchange expertise on crime fighting and other unconventional threats.

IANS