Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today said Turkey will always be by the side of India in fight against terrorism while the two countries resolved to strengthen cooperation to effectively counter the menace.
Erdogan assured India of full support in the fight against terrorism as he held "extensive" discussion on this evolving threat with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described it as a "shared worry".
"Terrorism is a shared worry, we agreed, no impact or goal and no region can validate terrorism,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press event with Erdogan.
Holding that "no intent or goal or reason or rationale can validate terrorism", Modi, said the two sides have decided to work together to deepen cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to effectively counter this menace.
"In particular, the constantly evolving threat from terrorism is our shared worry. I held an extensive conversion with the Turkish president on this subject. We agreed that no intent or goal or reason or rationale can validate terrorism," Modi said.
In an obvious reference to Pakistan-based terror groups, Modi said countries across the world need to "work as one to disrupt the terrorist networks and their financing and put a stop to cross-border movement of terrorists".
They also need to stand and act against those that "conceive and create, support and sustain, shelter and spread these instruments and ideologies of violence," the prime minister added.
Speaking on the issue, Erdogan said, "Terrorist organisations want to launch their propaganda over suffering of people, willing to create future for themselves out of victims' pain."
Condemning the Naxal attack on CRPF personnel on April 24 in Sukma, in which 25 of them were killed, Erdogan said, "Turkey will always be by the side of India in full solidarity while battling terrorism... And terrorists will be drowned in the blood they shed."
Erdogan also acknowledged the role India is playing in "international development that is unfolding in Asia."
"In every international development that is unfolding in Asia we see India playing a important role," he said.
Modi and the visiting dignitary had comprehensive discussion and took stock of full range of bilateral relations, including political and economic.
Referring to changing times where societies face new threats and challenges every day, Modi said the context and contours of some of the exiting and emerging security challenges globally are "our common concern".
Ahead of his visit to India, Erdogan had pitched for a multilateral dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue to ensure peace in the region.
"We should not allow more casualties to occur (in Kashmir). By having a multilateral dialogue, (in which) we can be involved, we can seek ways to settle the issue once and for all," he had told a TV channel in an interview.
The remarks are contrary to the position of India, which maintains that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between it and Pakistan, and that there is no scope for a third party mediation.
India, Turkey sign three agreements
India and Turkey on Monday signed three agreements following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"#IndiaTurkey sign three agreements in the fields of ICT, training and culture," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.
An agreement was signed on a cultural exchange programme for the years 2017-2020.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Foreign Services Institute (FSI) of India and the Diplomacy Academy of Turkey.
Another MoU was signed on cooperation in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT).
Modi, Erdogan review ties in security, trade areas
Modi and Erdogan reviewed the status of bilateral ties, including in key areas of security and trade, and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism, India's NSG membership bid and the regional security scenario were among key issues that were understood to have been discussed during the Modi-Erdogan meeting, according to official sources.
"New impetus to a multifarious relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives President Erdogan at Hyderabad House," MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the Turkish President and discussed issues of bilateral interest.
"Important engagement for the State guest. External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj calls on President Erdogan, welcomes him before delegation level talks,"
This is Erdogan's first foreign tour after winning a controversial referendum on April 16 that further consolidated his executive powers.
Earlier on Monday, President Pranab Mukherjee and Modi received Erdogan in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome with a guard of honour.
Later, Erdogan paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
On Monday evening, President Mukherjee will host a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary.
Erdogan arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit to India. He last visited India in 2008 when he was the Prime Minister.
(With agencies)
