India, Russia, China to expand cooperation against terrorism (Roundup)

Oct 27, 2009, 9:24 GMT

   New Delhi - India, Russia and China agreed Tuesday to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism and expressed concern at the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

   A joint communique issued after a meeting in Bangalore of the foreign ministers of the three countries said among the topics they discussed were the global financial crisis, climate change, increased cooperation in the energy sector and reform of international bodies, including the United Nations.

   Terrorism in the region and the situation in Afghanistan figured prominently in the talks among Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna and his Chinese and Russian counterparts, Yang Jiechi and Sergei Lavrov, the joint communique said.

   It was the ninth meeting between the foreign ministers of the three emerging economies, which represent 39 per cent of the global population and, according to analysts, hold the key to the world's economic recovery.

   'We discussed trilateral action against terrorism and transnational crime,' Krishna said at a joint press briefing after the meeting.

   Lavrov stressed the need for enhanced cooperation in combating rising terrorism in Afghanistan and the common stake of the three countries in the restoration of peace and stability in the violence-torn country.

   The ministers discussed at length the current global economic crisis and stressed that future global economic governance should ensure that there was due representation of emerging markets and developing economies.

   Yang said there was an urgent need to create a more just and equitable international order and called for greater democracy in international relations.

   A one-on-one meeting between the Indian and Chinese foreign ministers was scheduled to follow the trilateral discussions.