India & US call on Pakistan to stop terror attacks launched from its soil

India and the US urged the country to ensure that its territory is not used to launch cross-border terror strikes and to “expeditiously” bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump also vowed to strengthen efforts to fight terrorism and eliminate safe havens for terrorists.

 “Eliminating terrorism is among the topmost priorities for us,” Modi told reporters in his joint address with Trump at the White House.

The joint statement issued after the meeting between the leaders said the two sides “called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terror attacks on other countries.”

It further called on Pakistan to “expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot attacks and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups.”

The Prime Minister said, “We talked about terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and agreed to cooperate on this. Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation.”

Trump said both nations are “determined” to destroy terrorist organisations and the radical ideology that drives them.

“The security partnership between the US and India is incredibly important. Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organisations and the radical ideology that drives them. We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism,” he said.

 “Our militaries are working every day to enhance cooperation between our military forces, and next month they will join together with the Japanese navy to take part in the largest maritime exercise ever conducted in the Indian Ocean,” Trump said.

Modi termed his talks with Trump, the first between the two leaders, as an “important page in the history of India-US relationship”. He said he discussed in detail with Trump defence and security cooperation between the two nations. The two leaders have spoken over phone thrice before this meeting.

Trump said he is keen to work with Modi on creating a “fair and reciprocal” trade relationship between the two nations and called for the removal of “barriers” for the export of US goods into Indian markets. “It is important that that we reduce our trade deficit with your country,” he added.