India, ASEAN to 'deepen' counter-terrorism cooperation

India and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday evening adopted the Delhi Declaration and concurred to ratchet up their game in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The 10 leaders agreed to "deepen cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, violent extremism and radicalisation through information sharing, law enforcement cooperation and capacity building under the existing ASEAN-led mechanisms."

"In addition, strengthen cooperation and collaboration to combating other transnational crimes, including people smuggling, trafficking in persons, illicit drug trafficking, cybercrime, and piracy and armed robbery against ships," the declaration further read.

Furthermore, the leaders reiterated the "commitment and promote a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism through close cooperation while stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever."

In addition to this, the leaders declared to work together with the international community to ensure compliance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions regarding counter-terrorism.

The declaration underscored to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and India on cyber-security capacity building and policy coordination.

India is hosting a two-day India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit which is expected to give a boost to the cooperation in key areas of counter-terrorism, security and connectivity.

The summit marks 25 years of Indo-ASEAN ties.

In the run-up to the summit, various programmes in different areas, ranging from culture to trade, have been organised by India.