Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 6 (ANI): India and France on Monday reaffirmed their irrevocable determination to combat terrorism jointly.

In a joint statement, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said: “Terrorism strikes not only the people and the interests of our two countries but also imperils peace and stability of our respective regions and the world. We reaffirm our irrevocable condemnation of this scourge in all its forms and our will to intensify our cooperation to counter it.”

“Since our joint statement of January 25 2008, we have aimed at intensifying bilateral consultations and exchanges with the objective of better assessing these threats and sharing relevant information. Today, we have decided to make this cooperation a priority of the Indo-French security relationship,” they said.

“With the tragic losses suffered in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai particularly in mind, we call for the active prosecution of the authors of such crimes and their accomplices, and urge that they be brought to justice expeditiously,” they added.

They said: “In our common fight against terrorism, we will continue to enhance our operational cooperation as far as possible and will seek to ensure that the widest possible measure of mutual legal assistance is rendered, and that extradition requests are processed expeditiously.

“Our two governments will coordinate their endeavours in international bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force in order to define common positions and promote concrete initiatives,” they said.

They expressed concern at the continuing existence of safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorist groups beyond Afghanistan’s borders and resurgence of terrorist groups.

They agree that terrorism must be combated firmly by the international community. The two countries call on the neighbours of Afghanistan to play a constructive role conducive to the country’s stabilization and development in its regional environment.

Both sides reiterated the importance of adhering to sanctions regime against Al Qaeda and Taliban as established by UNSCR 1267 and subsequent Resolutions and the need to preserve its credibility. (ANI)