India, Turkey to join hands against terrorism

By Kesava Menon

ANKARA, JUNE 28. India and Turkey are to launch a serious effort to devise various methodologies for cooperation in the fight against global terrorism. A basic understanding on this issue was reached during discussions between delegations headed by the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, and Turkey's Interior Minister, Mr. Rustu Kazim Yucelen, here today.

Turkey, like India, has suffered enormously from the activities of terrorist organisations over the past couple of decades and more. The terrorist organisations most active here are motivated more by ideas of ethnicities. But outfits motivated by religion or a socio-economic agenda are not unknown either. In India, the relative strengths of organisations motivated by different ideologies are, of course, of a different pattern from what obtains in Turkey. Both sides view terrorism as a phenomenon that has to be combated by all right-thinking governments, especially the democracies.

India and Turkey have now determined that they must jointly bring their efforts to bear against all terrorist organisations irrespective of their colour. Special emphasis will be given to fighting the organisations seeking to use Turkish soil to promote terrorism against India and vice versa. The exchange of information and coordination between the concerned authorities has been identified as a key component of the strategy.

The two countries are also to step up cooperation in the fight against organised crime. International criminal networks, especially those involved in the narcotics trade are as active in Turkey as they are in India, if not more so. The two countries have reason to view international narco-terrorism as a seamless continuum that has to be combated at all levels and with all available means. In particular, the two Governments, acting through the Home and Interior Ministries, are to establish systems for exchange of information. To promote cooperation, specific officials will be designated to maintain regular contacts.

In the fight against international terrorist networks, attention will also be given to those trying to move nuclear material and those involved in human smuggling. As a self-declared nuclear power, India has a special responsibility to act against those trying to move fissile material across borders.

Human smuggling has also become a matter of concern especially after Indians have been among those who have landed on Turkish shores after vessels being used to smuggle them to Europe floundered. India and Turkey are to begin intensive discussions to formulate an agreement that will give a basis to the decisions under discussion.

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Section  : International
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