President Kovind calls for global response to combat terrorism

President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday called for a strong global response to counter the threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security.

"We expressed deep concern at the threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security and called for developing a strong global response to fight this menace," he said while delivering a joint statement along with Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

President Kovind also reaffirmed the desire of India and Equatorial Guinea to support the efforts of the African Union in finding solutions to political conflicts and terrorism and to continue working on the economic transformation and development of Africa.

Underlining India's readiness to extend cooperation to the development of Equatorial Guinea, President Kovind offered assistance to set up an Entrepreneurial Development Centre and an English Language Laboratory here in Malabo.

He further announced the establishment of India's Diplomatic Mission in Malabo as a step to mark a new beginning in the bilateral journey between the two countries.

Extending cooperation to jointly fighting climate change, President Kovind asserted that the two countries must stand united in support of reforms at the United Nations and beyond while continuing to strengthen the partnership formed under the framework of the International Solar Alliance.

President Kovind urged the government of Equatorial Guinea to avail concessional lines of credit of USD 10 billion, which was announced during the India-Africa Forum Summit of 2015, over five years for African countries.

He also stated that India would be happy to assist in developing project proposals in various sectors of Equatorial Guinea's economy.

On a related note, President Kovind is on a three-nation state visit to the African countries of Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland and Zambia from April 7 to 12.