India and the European Union on Friday decided to step up cooperation against terrorism through the sharing of intelligence even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh advocated 'zero tolerance' for the scourge, saying that this will send a signal to countries backing the menace or allowing their soil to be used by terrorists.
Dr Singh also sought the 25-nation European Union's support in India's quest for nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and said New Delhi did not want 'further erosion' of the non-proliferation regime.
Addressing a press conference after the daylong India- EU Summit in Helsinki, Dr Singh said he had explained to the European bloc's leaders New Delhi's views that expanding international cooperation through 'forward looking approaches' in civil nuclear energy is important for countries like India with 'impeccable' non-proliferation credentials.
The summit also discussed United Nations reforms, the stalemate in the Doha round of WTO talks, North Korea's nuclear test, Iran's nuclear programme and recent developments in South Asia, including the situation in Sri Lanka.
The EU joined India in condemning terrorism in all forms and manifestations, 'committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose' and concluded that the fight against the scourge can succeed only if it is sustained and comprehensive.
Dr Singh referred to the recent Mumbai train bombings and earlier blasts in London and Madrid, and said these reminded the world that terrorism 'remains the most serious threat to democratic, open and pluralistic countries.'
A joint statement issued after the summit said, 'The EU and India stand united in facing the scourge of terrorism, which constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The fight against terrorism can only succeed if it is sustained and comprehensive.'
The prime minister told EU leaders that strengthening international cooperation in the fight against terrorism is of vital importance to all free and democratic societies. His comments assume significance as India has been impressing on Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism and to dismantle terrorist infrastructure existing in territories under its control.
Investigations into the July 11 Mumbai blasts have revealed the involvement of Inter Services Intelligence and Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Tayiba.
At the press conference addressed by Dr Singh jointly with his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen, whose country is the current chair of the EU, the prime minister gave no direct reply when asked to identify the countries that are supporting terrorism.
India and the EU decided to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and agreed to exchange information and intelligence and other related matters, Dr Singh told the press conference.
Strongly favouring the establishment of a global framework to fight terror, the summit said the two sides will continue to work actively towards a swift finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
The joint statement said both sides expressed deep concern at North Korea's nuclear test in violation of its international commitments. They agreed that the 'test jeopardises regional peace and stability and highlights the importance of countering proliferation."
The leaders urged North Korea to return immediately and without pre-conditions to the six-party talks.
India and the EU agreed to work together for disarmament and for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. They regarded such proliferation, including the risk of terrorists and non-state actors gaining access to WMDs, as a 'major threat to international peace and stability.'
They also agreed that effective national export control measures for dual use goods, 'with due regard for cooperation for peaceful purposes,' play a crucial role in preventing proliferation.
Recognising the need for comprehensive UN reforms, the summit stressed the need 'to maintain momentum in the efforts to adapt the UN to the needs of today's world.' The leaders also expressed their 'conviction of the need to eliminate impunity for the gravest international crimes.'
Attaching priority to energy security for sustainable development, India and the EU said they would work to develop knowledge and expertise for clean coal technology and sustainable clean energy sources.
The two sides welcomed the prospect of a finalisation of a 'Horizontal Agreement' on aviation between them as well as a pact on the priorities for a new technical cooperation agreement in the sector.
