India and Turkey agree to strengthen co-operation in Combating terrorism

India and Turkey have strongly condemned the "use of double standards" in combating terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation in effectively dealing with the menace both bilaterally and at multilateral fora.

In a joint statement, both sides urged all countries and entities to work sincerely to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing and stop cross-border movement of terrorists.

The joint statement was issued after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New Delhi yesterday.The two leaders also called for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

The statement said Mr Modi thanked Mr Erdogan for Turkey's support for India's membership of the MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) and its application to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group as well as Wassenaar Arrangement, an



export control regime.

On terrorism, the statement said the two leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of and resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere.

Referring to multilateral export control regimes, it said India and Turkey are united by common interests in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems.

On reforms of the UN, Mr Modi and Mr Erdogan stressed on the need for comprehensive reform of the global body including expansion of the Security Council to make the body more representative, accountable and effective.

The statement said Erdogan extended invitations to President Pranab Mukherjee and to Mr Modi for visiting Turkey at mutually convenient time.