India and US to ink pact on terrorist watch-list information

A joint declaration on combating terrorism identifying specific steps to further expand cooperation to deal with the menace was issued at the first India-US Strategic and Commercial Ministerial Dialogue in Washington recently.

“The governments of India and the US have agreed to finalise an agreement to expand intelligence sharing and terrorist watch-list information,” Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh told Lok Sabha, replying to a question.

He said both India and the US have resolved at the highest level to further deepen bilateral cooperation to counter terrorism and radicalism.

Replying to a separate question, Singh said during the visit of Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar last month, the issue of enhancing Afghanistan's defence capabilities was discussed.

He said India was closely monitoring the evolving situation in Afghanistan and was in touch with various stakeholders to strengthen Afghanistan's security and assist in its development and reconstruction.

On a question about the alleged rape of Nepalese housemaids by a Saudi diplomat, the minister said the matter has been taken up with Saudi Arabia and it was under investigation by. “Any further action will have to await the results of the investigation,” he said, adding the case is being dealt with considering provisions of the Vienna Convention relating to immunity for foreign diplomats.

Replying to a separate question, Singh said government has been actively taking necessary measures for introduction of Hindi as one of the official languages of the UN.