India And Saudi Arabia Express United Stance Against Terrorism, Advocate For Afghan Stability

India and Saudi Arabia advocated for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, emphasising that the country should not become a platform or safe haven for terrorist and extremist groups. 

PM Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman exchange agreements after signing at Hyderabad house, in New Delhi on September 11, 2023.

Source : PIB

India and Saudi Arabia have united in a resolute call for nations to reject the use of terrorism against any country while also emphasising the need to prevent access to weaponry, including missiles and drones, for terror-related activities. This united stance was presented in a joint statement following the inaugural meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The statement, issued jointly by both nations, underscored their unwavering commitment to global security and stability, particularly in the context of Afghanistan. India and Saudi Arabia advocated for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, one that truly represents the diverse spectrum of the Afghan populace.

Importantly, the leaders of both nations expressed their deep concern about the potential for Afghanistan to become a platform or safe haven for terrorist and extremist groups. 

In a joint statement issued after the first meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, "The two sides stressed the importance of achieving security and stability in Afghanistan and forming an inclusive government that represents all spectrums of the Afghan people, and not allowing Afghanistan to be used as a platform or safe haven for terrorist and extremist groups."

In the realm of security cooperation, the leaders highlighted their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and the critical need to address terror financing. Terrorism, they concurred, remains one of the most severe threats to humanity, and there is no justification for any act of terror, regardless of the underlying reasons. The statement explicitly rejected any attempts to link terrorism to a particular race, religion, or culture, as per the Joint Statement.

Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince bin Salman called upon all nations to unequivocally reject the use of terrorism against other countries and to take swift action against those responsible for terrorist acts. They stressed the importance of dismantling terrorism infrastructure wherever it exists and ensuring that terrorists are brought to justice promptly.

Moreover, both leaders recognised the necessity of preventing access to weapons, including missiles and drones, for terrorist activities against other nations. This shared commitment to thwarting terrorism extended to areas such as cyber security, maritime security, and combating transnational crime, narcotics, and drug trafficking.

In a nod to the critical importance of maritime security, the joint statement underscored the significance of cooperation to safeguard waterways and ensure freedom of navigation, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Regarding Afghanistan, India and Saudi Arabia emphasised the need for concerted international efforts to combat drug trafficking and provide vital humanitarian aid, with a resounding call for its continuous support.

"They also emphasized the importance of a concerted international efforts to combat drug trafficking and provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, and the necessity of its continuation, and facilitating humanitarian aid access to the Afghan people," the statement read.

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