The Hindu : Advani, Ashcroft discuss counter-terrorism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2003

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Advani, Ashcroft discuss counter-terrorism

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington June 9. All aspects related to terrorism are said to have figured prominently in the talks between the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and the U.S. Attorney-General, John Ashcroft, here today.

Mr. Advani and Mr. Ashcroft met for a working lunch and are said to have exchanged views on a number of issues, particularly pertaining to the different aspects of terrorism.

Both India and the U.S. are grappling with the problem; and Washington is aware of the nuances and dynamics as it pertains to the subcontinent. Officials maintain that both Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Advani discussed the bilateral agreement on counter-terrorism, the implementation aspects of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and Extradition.

On a broader level, Mr. Advani and Mr. Ashcroft also had a wide-ranging discussion on cross-border terrorism. Mr. Ashcroft has been extended an official invitation to visit India and this could materialise toward the end of the year. The working lunch between Mr. Ashcroft and the Deputy Prime Minister is important for the reason that in the realm of terrorism it is the Attorney-General's Office and the Justice Department that is in the forefront of fighting the problem, not only in the realm of intelligence gathering vis-a-vis the Federal Bureau of Investigation and various functional agencies but also in the implementation of laws that have been made tougher since the September 11 attacks.

The cooperation between New Delhi and Washington in fighting terrorism is only one aspect of the growing contact between the two countries.

The other is the Bush administration having to come to terms with New Delhi's serious observations on the issue of terrorism especially as it relates to Islamabad.

The unease here is because a staunch ally in the so-called global fight against terrorism has been pointedly accused of abetting terrorism in the subcontinent.

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