India, Tunisia vow to combat terror, extremism

India and Tunisia today agreed to jointly combat terrorism and extremism while ramping up cooperation in the field of security.

A review of bilateral ties was undertaken as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj co-chaired the 12th India- Tunisia Joint Commission Meeting with her Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Six agreements in the fields of judicial cooperation, cooperation in youth issues, information and communications technology, trade and business, were also signed.

To give a new impetus to bilateral relations, a roadmap for India-Tunisia partnership was initiated by Swaraj and Jhinaoui, to energise the relations, a ministry of external affairs (MEA) statement said.

“The Tunisian side shared Indian concerns on terrorism and agreed to fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalism, drugs and organised crime and in the field of security, including cyber security,” the statement said.

The Indian side noted the successful transition to democracy by Tunisia and extended all possible support in the building of democratic institutions of that country, it said.

At the meeting, Tunisia also conveyed that it would become a partner country in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and expressed its willingness to join its various programmes.

The Tunisian side appreciated India’s initiative of holding the International Solar Alliance Founding Conference in New Delhi on December 8, 2017.

In order to expand bilateral trade and investment, both countries proposed to enhance trade to USD 1 billion in the next five years.

The Indian side called for greater market access in the pharma and fertilizer sectors, the statement said.

It was also decided that two new Joint Working Groups — one to remove barriers in trade and expand volume and range of trade and another on Agriculture to expand cooperation in agriculture and agro products — would be set up.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, it was decided to hold a year-long festival of India in Tunisia and festival of Tunisia in India in 2018.