Spain backs India's stand on intl cooperation to fight terror

Priyanka Tikoo

Madrid, Apr 21 (PTI) The Spanish leadership Tuesday
endorsed India's stand that terrorism, highlighted by the
attacks in Mumbai and Madrid, needed to be tackled effectively
through international cooperation.

This was conveyed to President of India Pratibha Patil,
the first head of the state from India to visit Spain, who was
accorded a red carpet ceremonial welcome at the 18th century
royal palace of El Parodo by King Juan Carlos I and Queen
Sofia. She was also given a 21-gun salute.

There was no cause that justified violence against
unarmed civilians, said Patil, who is here on a three-day
state visit on the first leg of her two-nation European tour.

"There is no religion that preaches hatred and
intolerance. The Mumbai attack and terrorist attacks in other
parts of the world, including in Madrid, have highlighted the
importance of effective international cooperation against
terrorism," she said.

The Spanish capital had witnessed one of the worst terror
strikes in the country on March 11, 2004 when Basque group
ETA, identified as a terrorist outfit by Madrid, carried out
simultaneous bombings of commuter trains killing nearly 200
people.

"All states have agreed to international commitments and
obligations for preventing and countering terrorism and it is
important that they be adhered to, so that such incidents do
not happen," the President told the Indian community here at a
reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Sujata Mehta.

After holding talks with the President, the Spanish King
and Queen hosted a private lunch for her.

Patil also visited the Spanish Parliament, where she was
warmly received by the President of the lower house (Congress)
Jose Bono and President of the Senate Javier Rojo.

Welcoming the President, Bono said there may be cultural
differences between Spain and India, but both are victims of
terrorism.

"We will never endure terrorism and there should be no
lukewarm response to it. The world has to devise a strategy to
deal with terrorism," he said.

Addressing the Spanish lawmakers, Patil said her visit
here is an expression of the importance that India attaches to
strong relationship with Spain.

"We seek to promote ties in all fields - political, trade
and investment, cooperation in mutually beneficial areas like
renewable energy, agriculture and tourism as also enhanced
cultural exchanges," she said.

Noting that both India and Spain are democratic states,
Patil said the values that are the bedrock of the
parliamentary system of the two countries are "tolerance,
respect for diversity, freedom of expression and equality
before the law."

"There is full participation of all citizens in the
political, economic and cultural lives of our countries. Our
representative institutions derive their power and authority
from the people," the President said.

She also spoke about the ongoing elections in India which
she described as the "biggest democratic exercise on earth."

"Our election process is gigantic in scale. We have 714
million voters... It is with the full participation of its
people that India is building its future," Patil said.

"We are an old civilisation but a young nation, with a
large majority of a youth population. We aspire for growth and
prosperity based on our age old values of harmony and
tolerance," she said.

Turning to the Indo-Spanish ties, the President said the
bilateral relationship has been growing in all spheres -
political, commercial and cultural.

"Trade has grown five times to over USD 4.5 billion in
2008 from USD 900 million in 2000. Both trade and investment
flows need to be further bolstered," said Patil, who is
accompanied by a high-level business delegation comprising
members of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM) on her visit to Spain.

Indian exports to Spain comprise textiles, chemicals,
steel, auto components and automobiles. It imports chemicals,
raw aluminium, pharmaceuticals, petroleum derivatives, auto
accessories and electronics for defence industry from Spain.

Spain is India's sixth largest export market in the
European Union, and officials say there is a great potential
for expanding trade and investment links between India and the
EU.

The President, who is accompanied by her husband Devi
Singh Shekhawat here, also laid a wreath at the tomb of
unknown soldiers.

Minister of State for Industrial Policy and Promotion
Ashwani Kumar and some members of Parliament and senior
officials are part of Patil's delegation.

The President will visit Poland on the second and final
leg of her week-long European tour. PTI PYK