Rajnath seeks Sri Lanka's support in isolating terror sponsors

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday urged Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that both countries should unite in isolating and targeting the source of ideological, financial support and training to terrorists in their region.

"South Asia needs to develop a clear response to terrorist infrastructure in the region. It is essential that our countries unite in isolating and targeting the source of ideological and financial support and training to terrorists in their region," Singh expressed India's view to the visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister.

"The problem is getting worse and it is not confined to just India and Afghanistan," the Home Minister said.

He also shared objectives for regional peace, security, commitment to fight terrorism and maritime safety in the Indian Ocean.

Singh appreciated that Sri Lanka is in general agreement with India on the need for an UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

The CCIT is expected to give a legal framework that would provide clarity to a unified strategy to confront global terrorism, a home ministry statement said.

Recalling that India and Sri Lanka have ongoing cooperation in countering drug trafficking, Singh stated that both the countries should encourage institutions on both sides to strengthen these exchanges.

"We should also ask officials on both sides to convene the first meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on Security Cooperation to discuss cooperation in countering terrorism and drug trafficking, as they are often interlinked," the Minister said.

Other subjects of interest like quicker disposal of Letters Rogatory, cooperation in transfer of sentenced persons and cooperation in capacity building and training were also discussed in the meeting among the two leaders.

--IANS

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