10th India-European Union Counter Terrorism Dialogue emphazises cooperation

New Delhi: The 10th India-European Union Counter Terrorism Dialogue was held at New Delhi today. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, while the European Union’s delegation was led by Mr. Pawel Herczynski, Director for Security Policy, European External Action Service.

During the Dialogue, both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and underscored the need for deepening cooperation to combat terrorism in a long term, sustained and comprehensive manner. They exchanged views and assessments on prevailing terrorist threats in their respective regions including state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism in the Af-Pak region. Discussions were also held regarding the current challenges posed by various terrorist entities, radicalisation and violent extremism, Foreign Terrorist Fighters and combating financing of terrorism.

Both sides agreed to strengthen institutional linkages by establishing point of contact between Indian agencies and their European Union counterparts including Europol for closer interaction and cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism. They also agreed to identify relevant training programmes for capacity building of individuals on both sides working in the sphere of countering terrorism and violent extremism. Prospects for deepening counter-terrorism cooperation under the UN and FATF were also emphasised.

The next India-European Union Counter Terrorism Dialogue will take place in Brussels in 2018 on a mutually convenient date.