India, UK to join hands to counter terrorism

India and the UK, victims of terrorist attacks on mass transit systems, have decided to join hands and convene a meeting of their experts to devise a mechanism for protection of their critical national infrastructure, including mass–transit systems.

The decision was taken during recent talks between India's Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, and his British counterpart, Margaret Beckett, in New Delhi which addressed issues like terrorism, trade and investment and climate.

"We have strong co–operation on international issues, with both of us uniting on the need to face terrorism with resolve and without equivocation," Mukherjee said at a joint press conference at the conclusion of the hour–long talks.

He said the two sides discussed strengthening cooperation in counter–terrorism and "agreed to a meeting of our experts in the area of protecting critical national infrastructure such as mass transit systems and other assets."

The decision was taken in the backdrop of similar terror attacks on railway systems in Mumbai and London over the past one year.

During the meeting between Mukherjee and Beckett, the Indian side is believed to have shared evidence regarding Pakistani involvement in the July 11 Mumbai train bombings, which killed nearly 200 people and injured some 800.

According to news reports, Beckett shared her deep concerns saying that both India and the UK have seen the "tragic" incidents of terror attacks on their mass transit systems and ought to join hands to tackle the menace.

Describing terrorism as the biggest threat in post Cold–war era, Mukherjee said that terrorist activities are not confined to any territorial limits and the entire world community should combat it collectively.

Beckett said terrorists were interested only in violence, and it was important for the world community to come together to fight it. The decision to convene the meeting of experts is part of stepped–up anti–terror cooperation set in motion by Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his British counterpart Tony Blair following their recent meeting.

Dr. Singh and Blair had decided on a new package of measures to counter terrorism posing a major challenge to both the countries. "We greatly appreciate the UK's commitment to fight terrorism wherever it appears and the banning of terrorist groups operating against India," Mukherjee said, addressing his first press conference as the External Affairs Minister.