E-Paper
India, UK unite to combat terrorism
India and UK have resolved to work together to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and also to enhance defence ties.
Terming the current relationship between the two nations "the strongest it ever has been," India and UK have resolved to work together to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and also to enhance defence cooperation.
This forms part of the Indo-UK joint declaration issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his British counterpart Tony Blair. "We will work together to try to ensure that the global norms against terrorism are upheld by all countries. We will share our experience and augment our cooperation, including cooperation between police, law enforcement agencies and others in our criminal justice system," the statement said.
UK will be supporting India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and both nations agree: "We must urgently strengthen the multilateral system to meet global challenges".
Singh and Blair have agreed that as "heads of government we will work for a long term comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century based on shared values and interests." In particular, this will include strengthening the links in foreign and defence policy.
UK will support India to join the Financial Action Task Force. The declaration says: "We will identify specific needs… in the areas of justice, judicial cooperation and mutual legal assistance." India and UK will also join hands in the "fight against international, organised and serious crimes and new forms of criminality including illegal migration, drug trafficking and human trafficking." With regard to defence cooperation, the existing strategic partnership is to be reinforced. "We will build upon and expand programmes of joint military training and exercises," the declaration says. The two nations will also explore co-production of defence equipment and work towards the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery.
Education is also among the focal issues in the declaration which says: "There are strong and vibrant links between the UK and India. By 2008 we expect that 25,000 students from the UK and India will be studying in each other's academic institutions. We will explore ways to help educational establishments in our countries to establish lasting partnerships.
