The Hindu : India, Israel call for decisive global action against terrorism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 11, 2003

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India, Israel call for decisive global action against terrorism

By Amit Baruah

The Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon, during an interactive session organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt.

NEW DELHI SEPT. 10. India and Israel have called for the establishment of a "just and durable peace" in West Asia, a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, said this evening.

"The two sides expressed their respective views and called for a complete cessation of violence so that a conducive environment is created for the continuation of the dialogue," the Delhi Statement on Friendship and Cooperation between India and Israel said, without elaborating on what these "respective views" were.

"India and Israel share the goal of advancing peace, security and stability in their own region and respect for democracy in the entire world, and will continue efforts to encourage this trend," the statement said, making it plain that the India-Israel equation was not restricted to bilateral matters.

"As ancient cultures and societies, India and Israel have left their mark on human civilisation and history," a point that was also made by Mr. Sharon today. "As democratic countries since their inception, both nations share faith in the values of freedom and democracy," it stressed.

"Both countries gained independence during the same period and embarked on a course of nation-building to advance the well-being of their respective peoples and to build modern democratic states able to face difficult challenges," the two countries said, identifying with each other's problems.

According to the statement, the "shared ideals" draw both peoples into a "natural amity" in pursuit of common goals. "Both sides attach great importance to strengthening their long-term cooperation in the political, defence, economic, commercial, cultural and science and technology areas."

The common theme of uniting against terrorism also figured prominently in the joint statement. "Terrorism undermines the very foundation of freedom and democracy, endangers the continued existence of open and democratic societies and constitutes a global threat; therefore, there cannot be any compromise in the war against terrorism."

"Together with the international community and as victims of terrorism, Israel and India are partners in the battle against this scourge... and call upon the international community to take decisive action against this global menace, and condemn states and individuals who aid and abet terrorism across borders, harbour and provide sanctuary to terrorists and provide them with financial means, training or patronage."

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