Expressing serious concern over the recent terror strikes in Paris and Pathankot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the global community needs to act decisively against those providing safe havens to the terrorists.
"The senseless terror attacks in Paris and Pathankot, and in other parts of the world are a gruesome face of one such challenge. Excellency Hollande, I share the sorrow and grief of the people of France on the loss of innocent lives in the Paris attacks. I also commend the strength of your resolve and action to these terrorist attacks," Prime Minister Modi said after holding talks with French President Francois Hollande at the Hyderabad House here.
He said India and France have agreed to scale up the range of counter-terrorism cooperation in a manner that helps both nations to tangibly mitigate and reduce the threat of extremism and terrorism to societies.
"We are also of the view that the global community needs to act decisively against those who provide safe havens to terrorists, who nurture them through finances, training and infrastructure support," said Prime Minister Modi.
We are committed to this cooperation but at the same time, we are also quite alert about the emerging challenges. All the terrorist attacks in Paris, Pathankot and in other cities of the world are a challenge that has to be faced with strength. We believe that all those countries that believe in humanity and in its values should get together and fight against this menace," he added.
The Prime Minister said Hollande is 'a very close friend of India' and expressed his gratitude to the French President for accepting his invitation to be the chief guest on the occasion of the 67th Republic Day.
"President Hollande, you are a capable leader of a great nation. France is one of those countries with which we have had relations from many years and we also have trustworthy strategic partnership. It is a matter of great pride for me and for India to welcome you as the chief guest at the Republic Day of India," said Prime Minister Modi.
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"For many reasons, tomorrow's day will be very significant for our relation. Tomorrow, we will be welcoming a French leader for the fifth time as the chief guest at Republic Day. At the same time, France would be one such country whose military troops will also be marching along with our military troops shoulder to shoulder on the Rajpath," he added.
