Washington DC
March 29, 2019
Indian and U.S. officials met in Washington, DC on March 29 for the sixteenth meeting of the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and the second session of the U.S.-India Designations Dialogue. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales and Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Shri Mahaveer Singhvi led respective inter-Agency/inter-Departmental delegations to discuss counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries, resolving to continue close coordination on this important element of the bilateral relationship.
The Counterterrorism Joint Working Group exchanged views on threats posed by international terrorist organizations as well as ongoing concerns over cross-border terrorism in the South Asia region. Ambassador Sales emphasized U.S. support for the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism. Both sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take meaningful, irreversible, and verifiable action against terrorists and terrorist groups. There was discussion of strengthening cooperation on information sharing and other steps to disrupt the ability of terrorists to travel, consistent with the important provisions and obligations outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2396.
Participants also highlighted their efforts on some of the world's most pressing counterterrorism challenges, including countering the financing and operations of terrorist organizations, terrorist use of the internet, and prosecuting, rehabilitating, and reintegrating returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters. The United States welcomed India's participation in international efforts to counter terrorism finance, and the two sides also shared information about their priorities and procedures for pursuing sanctions designations against terrorist groups and individuals.
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Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Shri Mahaveer Singhvi and State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales.
