Washington, DC – In a joint statement, the 20th U.S. – India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group (CTJWG) called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice, and amplified their demand for concerted action against terrorist groups listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee. Notably, the nations singled out groups such as al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) as requiring immediate attention and accountability.
The 20th meeting of the CTJWG and the 6th Designations Dialogue took place on March 5, 2024, in Washington D.C. The high-level meeting saw Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State, and Ambassador K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs, leading their respective inter-agency delegations.
The discussions underscored the enduring and invaluable nature of the U.S.-India comprehensive global and strategic partnership, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing regional security as integral components of their broader bilateral cooperation.
Highlighting the ongoing threat posed by terrorism to international peace and security, both sides emphasized the need for continued collaboration to ensure prosperity and peace for their citizens and global communities. The diverse participation of delegates from various departments and agencies of both countries reflected the shared recognition that countering terrorism demands an inclusive and holistic approach, necessitating bilateral coordination for effective information sharing and promoting security, stability, and growth.
The meeting addressed emerging threats and tactics in terrorism, including the use of the internet and new technologies, international movement of terrorists, recruitment efforts, financing, and radicalization to violence. The U.S. and India committed to ongoing information sharing, capacity building, and bilateral and multilateral efforts to address these evolving challenges.
Specifically, the nations called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice, urging concerted action against terrorist groups listed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee. The statement singled out groups such as al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
The joint commitment extended to strengthening law enforcement and judicial partnerships in support of the rule of law, emphasizing information sharing and enhanced cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests.
Poonam Sharma
Poonam is a multi-media journalist, and Managing Editor of India America Today (IAT). She launched its print edition in 2019 with IAT's Founder and Editor, the late Tejinder Singh.
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