India and the USA unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. The two sides held the 21st Meeting of the India-USA Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism (CT) and the 7th Designations Dialogue in New Delhi. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against challenges, including through training, cybersecurity, exchange of best practices, and information sharing through continued bilateral and multilateral efforts. They also reviewed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges, such as terrorist recruitment, abuse of technology for terrorist purposes, and financing of terrorism.

The two sides called for additional designations of ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and their proxy groups, supporters, sponsors, financiers and backers under the UN 1267 sanctions regime, ensuring their members face a global asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. The meeting underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, reflecting the spirit and breadth of the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. They expressed concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and AI for terrorist purposes.

The External Affairs Ministry informed that the Indian delegation was led by Dr Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary, Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs. Meanwhile, the US delegation was led by Monica Jacobsen, Senior Bureau Official in the Bureau of Counterterrorism in the United States Department of State.