India, Tajikistan To Step Up Anti-Terror, Defence Cooperation

India, Tajikistan To Step Up Anti-Terror, Defence Cooperation NEW DELHI:  India and Tajikistan on Saturday inked an agreement to share financial intelligence to counter money laundering and financing of terrorism.The agreement was signed by the two countries after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. PM Narendra Modi

and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon discussed on strategic issues including threats posed by radicalisation and extremism, trade and investments.Apart from  on strategic issues including threats posed by radicalisation and extremism, trade and investments. "We assessed the broad progress achieved under different pillars of our bilateral engagement, including our partnership in defence and security. "India and Tajikistan live in an extended neighbourhood that continues to face multiple security challenges and threats. The threat from terrorism endangers not just our two countries. It casts a long shadow of violence and instability over the entire region," PM Modi said at a joint press meet with Mr Rahmon.

The prime minister said that combating terrorism has been an important area of cooperative engagement between the two countries.

"We appreciate Tajikistan's role in the Central Asian region as a mainstay against forces of extremism, radicalism, and terrorism. President Rahmon and I agreed today to strengthen action on this front based on mutually agreed priorities," he said.

On his part, President Rahmon said terrorism and extremism undermine all developmental efforts worldwide.

A joint statement issued after the talks said the two leaders discussed situation in the region and stressed that terrorism and extremism seriously threaten peace, stability and progress of all countries.

"The two leaders agreed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be eliminated without any distinction between good and bad terrorists and called for an end to sponsorship, support and provision of safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists," the statement said.

PM Modi and President Rahmon reaffirmed their resolve to work for

early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UN General Assembly.

Apart from MoU concerning Cooperation in the Exchange of Financial Intelligence related to money laundering, related crimes and financing of terrorism, the two sides also inked pacts on broadcasting of audio visual programmes and protocol amending the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion and announced initialling of document on Bilateral Investment Treaty.