New Delhi, Jan .0, 2019: India has extended a helping hand to Philippines to counter terrorism and share its expertise to counter the menace.
In an immediate letter to the Philippines President following the terror attack on the Church that killed 20 PM Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences at loss of lives and injuries to so many Filipinos.
Modi wrote that violence has no place in democratic and pluralistic societies such as India and the Philippines and that he condemns such acts of terror in the strongest terms. India is ready to work with the Philippines to counter this global menace, the PM suggested.
The two sides have an active Joint working group on counter terrorism. Based on intelligence provided by India, Philippino authorities arrested a Filipino recruiter of jihadists who operated on the internet, sources said, adding, India has offered counter terror capabilities to Philippines. A strong intelligence cooperation exists between both sides.
The Indian PM and Philippines President have developed a strong chemistry following visits to each others country since 2017.
In 2017 India was among the first countries to send aid to Manila during the recent terrorist siege of Marawi – a southern Philippines island – native place of President Duterte.
During that siege the Modi government rushed a financial assistance of $500,000 (about Rs 3.2 crore) for rehabilitation of Marawi citizens, who are mainly Muslims. India also conducted cyber security training with a special emphasis on de-radicalisation for the Philippine security personnel.
(economictimes.indiatimes.com)