IORA nations decide to support each other to counter terrorism

India and 20 other countries sharing the strategically vital Indian Ocean today decided to support each other's efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism, agreeing to share information and best practices in this endeavour.
The leaders of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), including Vice President Hamid Ansari, also pressed for the effective implementation of all relevant United Nations resolutions and declarations on international terrorism, including Global-Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the UN General Assembly resolution.
They also reaffirmed their support for international law and human rights while countering violent extremism.
The Declaration on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which was adopted at the first summit of IORA nations here, acknowledged that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, undermining economic development and social cohesion.

In the declaration, the IORA leaders decided to support each other's efforts to counter the threat from terrorism and violent extremism, including through enhancing cooperation and coordination of efforts, dialogue and sharing of information, expertise, best practices and lessons learned, including on stemming the financing of terrorism.
Recognising that terrorism and violent extremism is not bound by national boundaries, they underlined the need for cooperation at all levels, local, national, regional, and international to effectively counter, prevent and address conditions conducive to terrorism and violent extremism.

The member nations also stressed on the need to work together in order to address the conditions conducive to the growth and spread of terrorism and violent extremism in society.

The declaration also emphasised the importance of parents, teachers, community leaders, education and civil society in countering and preventing youth radicalisation.
It also rejected any attempt to associate violent extremism with any religion, ethnic group, culture or nationality.
The member states decided to cooperate to counter terrorist and violent extremist ideology and propaganda by promoting positive messages of respect, tolerance, co-existence, inclusion, diversity and social cohesion.
They also decided to continue to work with the United Nations and other international and regional institutions to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The IORA comprises India, Australia, Bangladesh, Iran, Kenya, Comoros, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It also has seven Dialogue Partners -- the US, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan and the UK.