India and the UK unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists at the 16th meeting of the India-United Kingdom Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
The meeting was led by KD Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Chris Felton, Head of the Counter Terrorism Network for Asia and Oceania from the UK.
They stressed the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to combat terrorism comprehensively and sustainably, in alignment with the UN charter and international law. The meeting highlighted the growing cooperation between the two nations in addressing the global threat of terrorism.
During the meeting, the delegations exchanged detailed assessments of terrorist and extremist threats in their respective territories and regions. Discussions included the dangers posed by globally sanctioned terrorist entities and individuals. The meeting also focused on the proscription of individual terrorists and entities as a critical tool in the fight against terrorism, and explored ways to collaborate more effectively in multilateral forums.
Key issues addressed included countering radicalization and violent extremism, combating the financing of terrorism, and preventing the exploitation of new and emerging technologies by terrorist groups. The delegations also discussed enhancing law enforcement and judicial cooperation, improving information sharing, and strengthening aviation and maritime security measures.
The discussions underscored the shared commitment of India and the UK to deepen their bilateral cooperation to meet these challenges. By pooling their resources and expertise, both countries aim to develop more effective strategies to counteract the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations.
A significant focus of the meeting was on counter-radicalization efforts. Both sides recognized the importance of addressing the root causes of radicalization and violent extremism, sharing best practices and strategies for engaging with communities to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.
Combating the financing of terrorism was another critical area of discussion. The delegations explored various mechanisms to track and curb the flow of funds to terrorist organizations, including enhancing cooperation between their financial intelligence units and improving the exchange of information related to suspicious financial activities.
Additionally, the meeting covered the challenges posed by the exploitation of emerging technologies by terrorist groups. Both sides agreed on the need for continuous innovation in their counter-terrorism strategies to stay ahead of these evolving threats.
The meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the strong commitment of both nations to work together in combating terrorism and ensuring the security and safety of their citizens. Through sustained collaboration and mutual support, India and the UK aim to build a safer and more secure future.
The 17th India-UK Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism is scheduled to be held in the UK at a mutually convenient date, continuing the momentum of this vital bilateral cooperation.
