India and several African countries have pledged to deepen cooperation to combat the growing threat of terrorism and preserve maritime security by sharing information, intelligence and surveillance, in a joint deceleration adopted at the first India – Africa Defence Ministers’ conclave at the Defexpo 2020.
The dialogue was attended by 12 Defence Ministers and 38 countries were represented at the Conclave.
The Lucknow Declaration said “We condemn, in the strongest terms, the growing threat of terrorism and acknowledge that it constitutes a major threat to peace and security in the region.
We urge all countries to take resolute action in rooting out terrorism in all forms and manifestations, terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and eliminating financing channels and halting cross-border movement of terrorists.
We understand the need for all countries to ensure that all territory under their control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries in any manner,” emphasising the need for stronger international partnership in countering terrorism and violent extremism, including through increased sharing of information and intelligence.
The Declaration also called for strengthening the UN Counter-Terrorism mechanisms and to ensure strict compliance with the UN Security Council sanctions regime on terrorism.
The Declaration said that it seeks to increase cooperation in securing sea lines of communication, preventing maritime crimes, disaster, piracy, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing through sharing of information and surveillance.
