A message for Pakistan from Biden & Modi | Economic Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon the pernicious role played by Pakistan in Afghanistan during bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday, in which counter-terrorism was the key focus area.Modi's arguments on cross-border terror also found resonance with Biden, ET has learnt, and was reflected in a joint statement following the meeting."The Leaders reaffirmed that the United States and India stand together in a shared fight against global terrorism, will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee, condemned cross-border terrorism, and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to be brought to justice," according to the joint statement."They denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasised the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks," it said, in what could be viewed as a strong message to Pakistan.In this context, Modi and Biden referred to the bilateral US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, Designations Dialogue, and renewed US-India Homeland Security Dialogue.The two leaders resolved that the Taliban must abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, the strongly worded joint statement showed.The two leaders called on the Taliban to adhere to these and all other commitments, including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals and to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups.They emphasised the importance of efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, called on the Taliban to allow full, safe, direct and unhindered access for the United Nations, its specialized agencies and implementing partners, and all humanitarian actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity, including with respect to internally displaced persons, according to the joint statement.Reflecting their long-term commitment to promoting development and economic opportunity for the Afghans, Modi and Biden also decided to continue to closely coordinate and to work jointly with partners toward an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans.The Prime Minister is also understood to have conveyed that under Biden's leadership, India-US relations were poised for a decade of transformation.This transformation, according to Modi, would be on the basis of various pillars -- Tradition - democratic tradition and values in both countries; Technology; Trade; Trusteeship - of the environment for future generations; Talent - of people, and the people-to-people linkages, and Trust.