India, Azerbaijan agree for global action on terrorism

Baku [Azerbaijan], Apr 4 (ANI): India and Azerbaijan on Wednesday agreed for a global and concerted action to combat terrorism, stating that both sides had zero tolerance on the issue.

At a joint press meet with her Azerbaijani counterpart, Elmar Mammadyarov, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj said, "India and Azerbaijan shared the view that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a global scourge that requires global action in the spirit of zero tolerance, including by rooting out terrorist safe havens, disrupting terrorist networks, and financing channels and halting cross-border movement of terrorists."

She underlined that New Delhi was seeking to consolidate and strengthening its relations with Baku in various sectors.

"The Government of India is committed to working closely with the Government of Azerbaijan to build a reliable, strong, vibrant and mutually beneficial partnership," Swaraj continued.

Stressing on the close relations between the two countries, the EAM said that New Delhi and Baku enjoyed warm and friendly relations based on historical and cultural ties, adding that both the countries shared the values of democracy, respect for plurality and multiculturalism.

Acknowledging that India was the fastest-growing economy in the world, Swaraj added, "India has emerged as the fastest-growing large economy in the world. It is a global hub for manufacturing and innovation. Under Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's leadership, India is strongly committed to improving the ease of doing business environment."

Swaraj underscored that India was helping Azerbaijan in developing infrastructure, reforming the business environment and promoting skill and education and economic development respectively.

She further said that Azerbaijan has invited Indian companies to set up joint ventures for the production of pharmaceuticals and medical products in the country's Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The EAM stated that New Delhi and Baku were keen to expand their cooperation in the field of agriculture and a project for women empowerment by setting up of self-help groups in Azerbaijan.

On enhancing people-to-people contact, Swaraj said, "Both India and Azerbaijan introduced electronic visa system for each other's nationals last year. Since its introduction in April 2017, more than 500 nationals from Azerbaijan have availed the facility."

The EAM concluded her statement as saying that both the countries were calling for a global action to address climate change and was looking forward to make the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) ministerial meeting a great success.

Swaraj is on a three-day visit to the Central Asian country to attend the NAM mid-term ministerial conference, having arrived earlier on Wednesday.

The conference will be held in Baku on April 5 to 6 under the theme of "Promoting international peace and security for sustainable development".

The MEA said in a statement, "As a founding member of NAM, India remains committed to the purposes and principles of the movement. External Affairs Minister's participation in the NAM ministerial meeting will underline India's continued active and constructive engagement within the movement with a view to further strengthen solidarity and cooperation among its member states."

Swaraj also met with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev at the President's Palace in Baku on Wednesday and held a bilateral meeting with the latter to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in various sectors.

The two sides discussed on how to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity and transportation, culture and tourism, pharmaceuticals, energy and other sectors. (ANI)