India and United States reached a new milestone with the inaugural of the bilateral ‘Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue’ which was held on December 18-19, India today has reported.
In a join statement, both sides highlighted the importance of working together in combating terror threats and “designations” was one way of ensuring that.
“The establishment of this mechanism reflects shared US and Indian commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats”, the statement said.
This mechanism was discussed during the Indo-US Strategic dialogue that took place between US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, in October.
Officials of the two sides have been in constant touch to work out the details before the key ‘Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue’ could be unveiled.
The joint statement said, “The US and Indian delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms.”
While both sides have strengthened counter terror cooperation since 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, India and US “discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations”.
The need arose for such a mechanism to show demonstrable intent on both sides to not discriminate among terrorists and terror networks.
Despite the fact that Pakistan let free terror mastermind and Chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), very recently US Congressional Committee under duress from the US Department of Defence (DoD) dropped a provision linking financial aid to Pakistan with Islamabad taking demonstrable action against Lashkar-e-Taiba.
This de-linking of LeT from the US designated list was set the alarm bells off in South Block.
The initiative will also find ways to move together on mutual concerns through “domestic” and “international” mechanisms which is a clear indication of countering Chinese moves of protecting Pakistan’s interests, such as blocking India’s move to ban Masood Azhar at the UNSC 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
United States’ support to India has been spelt out by President Trump in his “National Security Strategy” which was released on Monday.
India welcomed it with the official Spokesperson saying in a statement, “We appreciate the strategic importance given to India-US relationship in the new National Security Strategy released by the US.”
The statement added, “As two responsible democracies, India and the US share common objectives, including combating terrorism and promoting peace and security throughout the world. A close partnership between India and the US contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region as well as to the economic progress of the two countries.”
The United States will host the second US-India Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue in 2018.