Washington, November 25 : Ratcheting up pressure on Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama on Wednesday spoke of the “absolute imperative” to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice and agreed that “credible” steps are needed to eliminate safe havens in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Meeting on the eve of the first anniversary of the 26/11 strikes, Singh and Obama acknowledged the common threat that international terrorism poses to regional and global security.
The two countries agreed to launch a “new phase” in their strategic partnership and vowed to redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism. India and the US also signed a MoU to enhance cooperation particularly in information sharing and capacity building.
“They expressed their grave concern about the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremists emanating from India’s neighbourhood whose impact is felt beyond the region,” said the Indo-US joint statement issued after the 90-minute Singh-Obama talks.
The two leaders agreed that “resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that provide shelter to terrorists and their activities. These undermine security and stability in the region and around the world.”
The Prime Minister and the President recognised that the Indo-US partnership is “indispensable” for global peace and security and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
—Agencies