ZAGRAB, Jun 19 : Condemning terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, India and Croatia have called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks, elimination of safe havens, and bringing its perpetrators to justice swiftly.

  A joint statement, dated June 18, and issued a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Croatia, said that it “injected a fresh impetus” into the bilateral partnership, highlighting the complementarities of the two economies, particularly in the areas of tourism, trade and technology.

The two leaders also expressed concern about the “deterioration of security situation in the Middle East and called for de-escalation between Israel and Iran”, it said.

This marked the first-ever visit of an Indian prime minister to this Balkan nation to strengthen the growing momentum of high-level exchanges between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Croatia for the support and solidarity extended in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, it said.

“Both sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including transnational and cross-border terrorism. They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances,” said the joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

They emphasised that those responsible for the attacks should be “held accountable” and “condemned the use of terrorists as proxies”, it added.

“They expressed their consistent position of supporting the full implementation of the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy, key international conventions and protocols in this field, and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

“They called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks, including through the UN, FATF and regional mechanisms, elimination of safe havens, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly,” the statement said.

The two leaders also urged for “concerted actions against all UN- and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist entities”, associated proxy groups, facilitators and sponsors, including terrorists under 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee.

The two leaders noted the importance of improving connectivity, including through the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) initiative.

They agreed to “expand cooperation” in ports and shipping domains given the long maritime traditions of both countries. Both sides agreed to further explore the potential of Croatia serving as a Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe, it said.

In this context, they also reaffirmed full respect for international law of the sea as reflected in UNCLOS, and for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation, to the benefit of maritime security and international peace and stability, the joint statement said.

The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including war in Ukraine.

They expressed support for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on respect for international law, principles of the UN Charter and territorial integrity and sovereignty,” it said.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific built on international law and mutual respect for sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes underpinned by effective regional institutions.

The two sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to multilateralism and support for a rules-based international order.

“They emphasised the urgent need for reforms in the UN system, particularly the UN Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, to make it more inclusive, transparent, effective, accountable, efficient and better aligned with contemporary geopolitical realities,” it added.

The two prime ministers expressed satisfaction at the outcomes of the visit, and “reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the partnership” between India and Croatia. (PTI)