New Delhi, 6 December (H.S.):

India and the United States recently held high-level discussions to enhance cooperation against terrorism, exploring ways to tackle emerging challenges related to law enforcement, judicial collaboration, and the misuse of modern technology for terror activities.

The talks underscored the importance of sustained bilateral coordination in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides strongly condemned cross-border terrorism and expressed concern over the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and artificial intelligence (AI) for terrorist purposes.

During the dialogue, both nations strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the recent incident near the Red Fort, emphasizing that those responsible for such acts must be held accountable.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and the United States convened the 21st meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism and the 7th Anti-Terrorism Designations Dialogue on December 3 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary in the MEA, while the U.S. delegation was headed by Monica Jacobsen, a senior official from the U.S. Department of State.

Both sides stressed the need for concrete, sustained, and comprehensive action to counter terrorism effectively, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation. They also reiterated support for the designation and sanctioning of ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates, as well as Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and their associated networks, sponsors, financiers, and enablers.

Highlighting the deepening alignment between New Delhi and Washington on counter-terrorism efforts, the Indian side appreciated the U.S. decision to designate The Resistance Front—a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

Both nations agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Designations Dialogue in the United States at a mutually convenient date.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar