Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Monday said that both India and Indonesia are facing threat from rising extremism and terrorism, adding that dealing with such threats requires strong cooperation among like-minded partners.
“The spreading tide of extremism and terrorism is a threat we both face. Successfully dealing with such threats requires strong cooperation among like-minded partners. I am glad that we have taken some steps to institutionalize cooperation in this area. We will continue to pursue more regular exchanges between our security personnel,” Vice -President Ansari said in his address here.
He said that non-traditional threats such as piracy, smuggling, transnational crimes and drug-trafficking are on the rise and pose a challenge for countries, adding that dealing with such problems require strong and determined, coordinated action to control.
The Vice-President further said that India has a shared vision for a peaceful region and the seas around it.
“We believe that all trade routes and the sea lanes must be protected from traditional and non-traditional threats and all countries using these international waters must act with responsibility and restraint,” he added.
Stating that India and Indonesia both have a great need for open trade and the sea lanes that carry it, the Vice-President said, “Indonesia’s idea of a Maritime Axis and India’s commitment to the Mausam Project which links the countries of the Indian Ocean can bring benefit to us all.”
Vice President Ansari arrived here for his five-day two-nation official visit to Indonesia and Brunei on Sunday
Indonesia will be the first stopover for the Vice President, who has gone there at the invitation of his Indonesian counterpart Jusuf Kalla. (ANI)