New
Delhi, Sept 26: Visiting US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Defence
Minister Nirmala Sitaraman today spoke in one voice for zero tolerance to safe
havens for terrorists,Terrorism and ways to control it were the major focus of
the two Defence Ministers talks that were held at the South Block here after Mr
Mattis was presented a tri-services guard of honour. His is the first
Cabinet-level visit to India from the US since Mr Donald Trump took over as
President. "Two countries recognize the threat that global terrorism poses
to people throughout the world,’’ the US Defence Secretary said in a joint
interaction with Ms Sitharaman after their talks. She said during their
meeting, she told Mr Mattis that the very same forces that found safe havens in
Pakistan were the ones who have struck in New York and Mumbai. Ms Sitharaman
added that she had requested the US Defence Secretary to raise the issue of
cross border terrorism and safe havens when and if he visited Pakistan.
"There is growing convergence in the approaches of both our countries on
this issue. We both recognize the importance of holding those who use terrorism
as an instrument of state policy to account and to dismantle the infrastructure
that supports terrorism," she said. The Defence Minister underlined that
India and the United States shared a strong and vibrant strategic partnership,
and as the world's largest democracies,they also share fundamental values and
interests. "Defence cooperation between India and the US has grown
significantly in recent years and emerged as a key pillar of our strategic
partnership,’’ she said. She added that the Mr Mattis had willingness to share
further cutting-edge platforms which would enhance India's defence preparedness
to meet current and emerging threats.Both the countries agreed on the need to
expand on the progress already made by encouraging co-production and
co-development efforts. UNI
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