India remains committed to working more closely with President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime in the global fight against terrorism, including developing IED detectors, says high commissioner Abhay Thakur.

Mr Thakur disclosed this in a virtual address night in Abuja at a ceremony in honour of the families and commemoration of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack survivors.

“In this context, I am glad to reiterate that India and Nigeria have always stood by each other in areas of counter-terrorism,” stated the Indian envoy. “We are, therefore, working closely, be it in the form of counter-insurgency or counter-terrorist groups, for the armed forces of Nigeria or in arranging for developing the ID detector, as kind of reach.”

The event was organised by the Afro Asian Initiative for Community Development (AAIFCD).

“We reject all such mindless violence, be it in South Asia or anywhere in the world. Let us not forget that terrorism in one part of the world affects another. Close counter-terrorism measures within countries are actually necessary to ensure that terrorists and their likes are neutralised completely,” added Mr Thakur. “Today, we pay homage to those who lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks and also honour those who fought back, survived, and helped Mumbai come back to its feet quickly.”

He said both India and Nigeria held the first counter-terrorism dialogue at the level of national security advisers in March.

The high commissioner recalled that during the Mumbai terrorist attacks, which took place on April 26, 2008, 166 civilians were killed, including 25 foreigners from 15 countries.

Also speaking, the president of AAIFCD, Kiran Gosovi, said the Mumbai attack demonstrated that terrorism “is enemy to all mankind.”

He further stated, “Going by the horror everyone witnessed in the video, you can imagine what kind of brutality the Indian people and other foreign nationals must have gone through during the period. To prove more points on that one, let me just bring out some of the things in front of you. The Mumbai attack of 2008 demonstrated that even after the 9/11 terrorist attack … terrorists are enemies of all mankind.”

(NAN)