Amid a spurt in terror attacks in various countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that terrorism was the “gravest threat” to the world, “equally impacting” India and Mozambique which agreed to strengthen security and defence ties and bolster cooperation in food security.
After Modi’s wide-ranging talks with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi here, the two countries signed three pacts, including a significant “long-term agreement” under which India will buy pulses from this African nation to meet its recurring shortfall and contain prices of this commodity.
Declaring India as a “trusted friend” and a “reliable partner” of Mozambique, the Prime Minister also announced that essential medicines, including those for treating AIDS, would be donated to this country as part of efforts to strengthen its public health system.
India will also help build capacities of Mozambique’s security forces, Modi said with a vow to “walk every step” with this country on its path of development and progress.
He identified agriculture, healthcare, energy security, security, defence and skill development as some of the areas having potential for cooperation.
“We want our development and economic ties to benefit our societies. We also want our partnership to ensure the safety and security of our people,” he said at a joint media interaction with Nyusi after their talks during which the two leaders discussed ways to enhance trade and investment and step up cooperation in other fields.
While talking about the challenges, Modi said, “President Nyusi and I recognize that terrorism is the gravest security threat facing the world today. Mozambique and India are no exceptions. Terrorism impacts India and Mozambique equally.”
His comments assume significance as these came against the backdrop of spurt in terror attacks in various parts of the world. This included the second major terror attack in less than a week in India’s neighbour Bangladesh just hours before Modi spoke. Terrorists even struck at the mosque of Prophet in Saudi city of Medina a few days back.
“The networks of terror are inter-linked with other trans -national crimes. Our agreement on prevention of drug trafficking is a testimony to our shared determination to combat this menace and these networks,” said Modi who oversaw India and Mozambique sign the pact on the occasion.
India and Mozambique will step up security and defence cooperation to “advance our shared security interests”, said Modi, who arrived here this morning on a day-long visit on the first leg of his five-day tour of four African countries.