India and Uzbekistan today agreed to cooperate in addressing the threats and challenges to national and regional security, and further strengthen the framework of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. The tenth meeting of India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held in New Delhi.

 

The two sides discussed the threats posed by terrorist groups globally and in their respective regions. Both sides exchanged views on current and emerging challenges to counter-terrorism. These include countering extremism and radicalization, combating financing of terrorism, preventing use of technology for terrorist purposes, and the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism.

 

External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the two sides also deliberated on the measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the sphere of counter terrorism through information sharing, capacity building and sharing of best practices. They discussed the prospects of developing cooperation in the fight against terrorism between the relevant agencies of India and Uzbekistan. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to strengthen cooperation in multilateral fora including the UN, SCO-RATS and EAG. 

 

The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism), Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Head of the Department for Cooperation with South Asian, Near, Middle Eastern and African Countries under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pirimkulov Gulomjon Shodmonkulovich.