US, Australia want to work with India on counter-terrorism

Washington, Apr 10 (PTI) Acknowledging India's sturdy
growth as a global power having economic and strategic weight
underpinned by a robust democracy, the US and Australia have
expressed "desire" to work with New Delhi on a host of issues
including counter-terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation.

This was reflected in a joint communique issued by the
two countries at the end of the Australia-United States
Ministerial Consultations held in Washington Thursday.

"The United States and Australia welcomed India's
continued growth in stature as a country of economic and
strategic weight, underpinned by a robust democracy," said the
joint communique.

"The two countries expressed their desire to work
effectively with India, including in the areas of
counter-terrorism, nuclear nonproliferation and other
transnational threats," it said.

The Australian delegation was led by its Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith and Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon; while the
US side was represented by the Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

Affirming their goal for a world free of nuclear weapons,
the two countries noted the importance of strengthening the
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime and pledged to
cooperate closely in the run-up to the 2010 Review Conference.

Finding a common ground in the work of the International
Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
established by Australia and Japan, Washington expressed its
intent to seek American Senate's advice and consent for
ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Both countries expressed their commitment to work for
negotiations on a verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty,
the statement said.

The US and Australia also emphasised the continued need
for practical action to prevent the spread of weapons of mass
destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems to states of
proliferation concern and to terrorist groups.

Reaffirming their commitment to work together under the
Proliferation Security Initiative to counter illicit trade in
WMD and missiles, the US and Australia also pledged to
continue coordinating non-proliferation-related outreach and
capacity development activities in other countries.

The talks marked the 24th anniversary of the
Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) and
58 years of strategic partnership under the ANZUS
(Australia-New Zealand-US) alliance. PTI LKJ
PMR
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