India to boost security ties with Egypt to tackle terrorism

Cairo: Pitching for a comprehensive fight to deal with radicalisation and non-state actors supporting terror, on Tuesday India said it was ramping up security ties with Egypt to remove the scourge of terrorism completely.

In an address to a select group of strategic thinkers and policy makers, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj talked about the threat of dreaded terror outfit ISIS in the Gulf region and that of Taliban and LeT in India's neighbourhood.

"We are today witnessing growing violence and intolerance. The growth of extremism as represented by Al Qaeda and now ISIS in your region and that of Taliban, Laskhar-e-Toiba and others in our neighbourhood, are manifestations of this trend," she said.

"We have to fight radicalisation and extremism, the threat of terrorism and the emergence of non-state actors who challenge the civilised world in a collective and comprehensive manner.

India not only condemns all acts of terrorism but joins hands with Egypt in the fight to remove the scourge of terrorism completely," she said at the prestigious Diplomatic Club here.

Swaraj, who held extensive talks with Egyptian leadership on Monday, proposed to step up exchange of information and coordination to combat terrorism, both at the regional as well as global level while elaborating on importance of closer security cooperation between India and Egypt.

"Our defence relationship, which is based on our traditional and friendly ties will be upgraded further to closer cooperation across the spectrum."

"At the multilateral level, we shall strengthen coordination with the League of Arab States, work closely through the India-Africa Forum Summit and further our outstanding cooperation at the UN and other multilateral bodies," she said before winding up her first visit to Egypt.

Swaraj said India remained concerned about the growth of terrorism and of sectarian violence in the region and stand committed to support efforts to fight this.

"We also sense a need to develop a broader approach based on dialogue to shift from an atmosphere of mistrust and violence towards one which exudes confidence in peace and development."