India and Tajikistan have strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and reiterated their condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam and the terror incident near Red Fort in New Delhi. The two sides called for concerted action against terrorists and terrorist groups, particularly those listed under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee.
Fifth Joint Working Group Meeting Held in Dushanbe
The fifth meeting of the India-Tajikistan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism took place in Dushanbe on Wednesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) from India's Ministry of External Affairs, and Sherali Jonon, Head of the Department of Asia-Pacific Countries at Tajikistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from relevant departments and agencies of both nations also participated, according to a release from India's Ministry of External Affairs.
Discussions on Emerging Threats and Bilateral Cooperation
During the meeting, both sides discussed threats posed by terrorist groups globally and in their respective regions. They exchanged views on current and emerging challenges to counter-terrorism, including countering violent extremism and radicalization, combating the financing of terrorism, preventing the use of technology for terrorist purposes, drug trafficking, and the global movement of terrorists. The two sides also deliberated on measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism through information sharing, capacity building, and sharing of best practices.
Commitment to Multilateral Fora
Both India and Tajikistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS), and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG). The next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism will be held in India on a mutually convenient date, the release added.
