India, Canada to work jointly to eliminate the scourge of terrorism

TORONTO - India and Canada on Sunday evening reiterated their commitment to jointly eliminate the scourge of terrorism, a menace that has bedeviled most parts of the world in recent times.

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said the reiteration of the bilateral commitment to unitedly fight against terrorism is significant, as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Kanishka terror-related air crash that claimed over 300 lives.

Dr. Singh said that terrible disaster and the suffering that it caused to kith and kin, would “remain a stark reminder of the need for all of us to work unitedly to eliminate the scourge of terrorism.”

Dr. Singh, who is scheduled to visit the Kanishka memorial this morning, said that the victims of the tragedy deserved full justice.

A joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting said that both Prime Ministers strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and agreed to direct their respective governments toward greater cooperation in counter-terrorism and security-related matters.

Reiterating the need for intensifying global cooperation in combatting international terrorism, both Dr. Singh and Prime Minister Harper called for an early conclusion and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to consistently engage on the issue through the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. By Ashok Dixit (ANI)