During a visit to the White House, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged his country’s support for the U.S.-led military efforts against the Islamic State, claimed a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, a September 30th U.S.-India joint statement, released by the White House and highlighting Modi’s meeting with Obama, does not specifically mention that Prime Minister Modi has committed India’s support to the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL.
Furthermore, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has denied the BJP leader’s claim.
Modi also belongs to India’s BJP.
The joint statement did not specifically mention that India was going to collaborate in the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State jihadists.
The statement did mention, however, that Obama and Modi “reaffirmed their deep concern over the continued threat posed by terrorism, most recently highlighted by the dangers presented by the ISIL, and underlined the need for continued comprehensive global efforts to combat and defeat terrorism.” That was the only time the Islamic State was mentioned in the statement.
According to the statement, “The leaders stressed the need for joint and concerted efforts, including the dismantling of safe havens for terrorist and criminal networks, to disrupt all financial and tactical support for networks such as Al Qaeda, Lashkar-e Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the D-Company, and the Haqqanis.”
“They pledged to enhance criminal law enforcement, security, and military information exchanges, and strengthen cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance,” it stated, adding:
Through operational cooperation through their law enforcement agencies, they aimed to prevent the spread of counterfeit currency and inhibit the use of cyberspace by terrorists, criminals, and those who use the internet for unlawful purposes, and to facilitate investigation of criminal and terrorist activities. The leaders also committed to identify modalities to exchange terrorist watch lists.
Zee News reported that Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, denied the BJP leader’s claim, saying the two leaders did not talk about ISIS on September 29, but would do so the following day.
Over 40 nations have reportedly joined Obama’s anti-ISIS military efforts.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.