December 11, 2022
2 mins read

Mumbai terror attacks may figure in Indo-US counter terror meet  

Timothy Betts, the US State Department’s Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, will lead the delegation from Washington at the annual meeting on December 12-13…reports Asian Lite News

India is expected to once again raise the issue of cross-border terrorism and bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice when the 19th meeting of US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group takes place in New Delhi, early next week.

Timothy Betts, the US State Department’s Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, will lead the delegation from Washington at the annual meeting on December 12-13 as both sides review regional and global terrorist threat assessments, collaborative bilateral and regional counterterrorism programming, and initiatives to strengthen law enforcement and judicial partnerships.

Reaffirming counter-terrorism cooperation as an important pillar of their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, both countries have, during the past meetings of the JWG, called for concerted action against all terrorist groups in the region.

It includes groups proscribed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee, such as al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizb-ul Mujahideen.

The Joint Statment released after the September 2020 meeting specifically underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take “immediate, sustained, and irreversible action” to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot.

At the 18th meeting of the US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and the fourth session of the US-India Designations Dialogue held in Washington in October 2021, the US reiterated its commitment to standing together with the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism.

Worried about the situation in Afghanistan, they also called on the Taliban to ensure Afghan territory is never again used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist attacks.

Betts, who assumed the position of Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Acting Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in March this year, would also be having close consultations with top Indian officials on developments in Afghanistan and potential terrorist threats emanating from there.

Last week, the US State Department designated four al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) for their leadership roles in their respective groups.

Interestingly, Betts is currently touring Tokyo where he held trilateral counterterrorism discussions, including persistent threats in the Indo-Pacific, with senior government officials from Quad partners Australia and Japan on Thursday.

He will then travel to the Philippines before landing in the Indian capital.

ALSO READ: 15 oil vessels blocked at Turkish Straits amid EU sanctions

Previous Story

India, UK ties to get stronger with our living bridge: Scott

Next Story

Tibetan, Turkish activists protest China’s rights abuses

Latest from -Top News

Financial Turmoil Grips Bangladesh

The crisis emerged with the political transition after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following a violent uprising last year….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh is grappling with an economic crisis

Hamas Meets Turkish FM Over Gaza Crisis

The delegation briefed Hakan on the latest developments regarding the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the delegation’s recent visit to Cairo….reports Asian Lite News A Hamas delegation met with Turkish Foreign

India, France Set to Seal Rafale Deal

Estimated cost of this deal is valued at around Rs 63,000 crore…reports Asian Lite News India and France will on Monday sign the deal for 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India, China, UAE abstain on Russia resolution

India’s abstention will strain India’s growing relationship with the US

Sikh Workers Enslaved on Italian Farms

There were reportedly over 400,000 agricultural workers in Italy at