BRUSSELS: India and the European Union have decided to fight the menace of terrorism jointly. In a joint declaration India and the 27 country bloc condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They also denounced those who sponsor terrorism and provide terrorists safe haven. They agreed that an effective and comprehensive approach to diminish the long term threat of violent extremism will be an important component of their efforts to combat terrorism. The EU said that terrorism is not a problem of India alone. It is a global one and needs global response.
The declaration was adopted at the 11th India-EU summit on Friday. Later addressing a joint press conference with the European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh said that the two sides discussed co-operation in political and security spheres. They also exchanged views on the situation in India’s neighbourhood and developments in Europe and on how to enhance measures to counter terrorism.
Mr.Rampyui said that London, Madrid and the Mumbai attacks showed that terrorism knows no boundaries and a common response is essential.
At the summit meeting with European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister said that India and Europe should take the lead in avoiding protectionist trends and keep their markets open. He said, this will encourage the free flow and movement of people. Dr. Singh conveyed to the European leadership the opportunities that exist for investment in India in infrastructure. India and the 27 nation bloc also decided to redouble their efforts for concluding a Broad-based Trade and investment Agreement at the earliest next year possibly by March. Later addressing a joint press conference with the EU leadership, Dr. Manmohan Singh allayed fears of small farmers and shopkeepers back at home saying that their interests will be safeguarded in the agreement.
According to AIR when Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh held the summit meeting with the EU leadership in Brussels, hundreds of activists from all over Europe gathered outside the venue. They were demanding the Euoropean Union to stop pursuing what they called the measures that undermine India’s role as a producer of affordable generic medicines.