New Delhi, Sep 12: India and France have reiterated their dedication to fighting terrorism in all its manifestations during the 17th Meeting of the India-France Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terrorism held in Paris, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday.

The Indian delegation, led by K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) from the MEA, met with the French delegation, headed by Olivier Caron, the French Counter-Terrorism Ambassador, to discuss pressing security issues, including the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities.

The MEA's statement released on Friday highlighted the mutual concerns regarding terrorism and stressed the importance of enhanced bilateral cooperation to address emerging security challenges.

During the discussions, both delegations shared insights on the current threat landscapes in their nations.

Topics covered included state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, terrorist activities in South Asia and the Middle East, and the alarming trend of terror groups exploiting new technologies.

Additionally, the two sides addressed the issues of radicalization and extremism, particularly in the online space. The dialogue underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts to combat terrorist propaganda and online recruitment, which is becoming an increasing global concern.

Both India and France expressed a desire to improve coordination on international platforms such as the United Nations, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the No Money for Terror (NMFT) initiative.

The MEA remarked, "The discussions on bilateral and multilateral cooperation aimed at enhancing capacity-building initiatives through training and exercises. The two nations deliberated on collaboration within the UN, FATF, and NMFT frameworks."

Moreover, the countries considered broadening their counter-terrorism dialogue to encompass organized crime, cybersecurity threats, and the sharing of information regarding online propaganda.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the 18th JWG meeting in India at a mutually agreed time.

The enduring counter-terrorism partnership between India and France is regarded as a crucial aspect of their strategic alliance, founded on shared democratic principles and a collective commitment to global security.