by K. Gajendra Singh
In a joint press statement issued in The Hague on 8 November after the 5th India- European Union (EU) Summit between Indian team led Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the EU led by current European Council President and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, the two sides unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorism. India and the EU also outlined a five-point action plan to combat the scourge of terrorism and resolved to enhance collective action to fight proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the two sides puts India at par with EU’s special partners; the United States , Canada , Japan , China and Russia . The EU is both the leading foreign investor in India and its biggest trading partner.
India and the EU would set up a mechanism for a dialogue on disarmament and non-proliferation to signal their new “strategic partnership”. The agreement says that disarmament and non-proliferation are articles of faith for both sides despite differences in approach. ” India and EU are resolved to be partners in promoting global peace and security and remain committed to the goal of universal disarmament.” The two sides call for effective control measures for dual use goods ( that can be used for civilian and military purposes) can play an important role in preventing proliferation.
The two sides earlier held wide-ranging discussions dealing with issues of terrorism, proliferation, UN reforms and the situation in Iraq , Afghanistan and the Middle East .
As part of the action plan, the two sides will seek to step up international efforts to combat terrorism, reduce the access of terrorists to financial and other economic resources, ensure effective systems of border control, address issues which create an environment conducive to terrorism and explore ways to strengthen counter-terrorism dialogue by covering other security-related issues. “The fight against terrorism must be carried out in full respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,” with both sides continuing to “support the work of the United Nations to ensure universal adherence to, and full implementation of, all UN Security Council resolutions,” including the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, sponsored by India in the United Nations. Read the rest of this entry »