2+2 Talks: India, US call on Pakistan to prevent use of its territory by Dawood, other terrorists

In the joint statement, the two countries, called on Pakistan to ensure that the territory under its control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries.

In the joint statement India, US called on Pakistan to ensure that the territory under its control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries.

New Delhi: In the first edition of the two-plus-two talks between India and US, the two parties discussed cross border terrorism as an important subject among a range of other topics. In the joint statement, the two countries, called on Pakistan to ensure that the territory under its control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. During the talks External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had with US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis, the two countries also decided to set up hotlines between them. The two strategic partners said that Pakistan’s territory being used as operating place by Dawood and other terrorists is condemnable. "On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, they called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri, and other cross-border terrorist attacks," the statement said. The statement released also mentions the bilateral talks initiated in 2017 for taking action against Dawood , D-Company and other terror outfits. We welcomed the recent designations of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists by the US. They underscore the international community's scrutiny over the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which has affected India and the US alike. On the 10th anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, we recognized the importance of justice and retribution for the masterminds behind this terrorist attack," Swaraj said. With this, both the countries can now share secret information about Dawood’s D company. Also America may soon take action to seize properties of Dawood and aides in the US. India may receive new information about Derwood’s henchmen operating here and intelligence action against Dawood in Pakistan will also get assistance. US secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been the head of America’s intelligence agency CIA and is already aware of many details about Pakistan. Now, after Amercia’s involvement in the mission against Dawood will lead to increased troubles for the Mumbai attack mastermind. Swaraj said President Donald Trump's call for Pakistan to stop its policy of supporting cross-border terrorism finds resonance with India. According to the joint statement, the ministers also announced their readiness to begin negotiations on an Industrial Security Annex (ISA) that would support closer defense industry cooperation and collaboration. They also announced cooperation on Financial Action Task Force  (FATF) platform to stop financial help to the terror outfits.