In their second Joint Working Group meeting, India and the Maldives concentrate on stopping the use of the Internet for terrorism.
On Monday, India and Maldives co-chaired the second meeting of the Joint Working Group. The focus of the meeting was to address counter-terrorism, tackle violent extremism, and implement de-radicalization efforts. The primary aim was to combat terrorism and thwart any attempts to exploit the internet and cyberspace for promoting terrorism and violent extremism.
Together with Maldives Foreign Secretary MV Ahmed Latheef, Ministry of External Affairs (West) Sanjay Verma participated in the ceremony on behalf of New Delhi. “Co-chaired 2nd #India-#Maldives JWG on Counter-Terrorism, Countering Violent Extremism and De-radicalisation at @MoFAmvtoday with H.E. @ForeignSecMVAhmed Latheef. Capacity building, information sharing and cooperation on global forums is the path ahead. @MEAIndia @HCIMaldives,”
The meeting, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, was held in a friendly and productive environment that represents the long-standing and good neighbourly ties between the Maldives and India as well as the vigour, ambition, and scale that our bilateral relations have attained under the leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India and Maldives denounce all forms of terrorism including cross-border terrorism
India and the Maldives have both vehemently denounced all forms and expressions of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. Both nations reiterated counter-terrorism cooperation as a crucial component of preserving security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), highlighting the necessity of enhancing international collaboration to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner.
The need for coordinated action against all terrorist networks was highlighted as both parties evaluated the risks posed by terrorist organizations that are subject to UN sanctions.
They emphasised the urgent need for all nations to respond right away in a way that is ongoing, verifiable, and irreversible, which ensures that no land they control is utilised in terrorist acts against others, as well as the necessity to swiftly prosecute those responsible.
The two sides also discussed ways to improve their bilateral collaboration in the fight against organised crime, drugs, repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees, according to the Ministry.
India and Maldives agree to de-radicalize, collaborate on counter-terrorism
Both parties vowed to increase their cooperation, which will involve de-radicalization efforts, collaboration and the sharing of best practices in the areas of counterterrorism, preventing and combating violent extremism, including strategic communication, as well as additional assistance and capacity building for the Maldives’ security, law enforcement, and other pertinent agencies.
The United Nations, as well as other international and regional forums like the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), are multilateral fora where the two parties have also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing discussion and bolstering cooperation.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) will also be visited by the Indian delegation when they are in Male, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.
