International terrorism, anti-piracy measures are serious issues of concern: MEA

Pretoria (South Africa), Oct 18 (ANI): International terrorism and anti-piracy measures are expected to be major talking points in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) summit to be held in Pretoria on Tuesday.

While briefing mediapersons here, M. Ganapathi, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry said that the issue of international terrorism was a matter of concern for every country.

He added that these issues had been discussed in the preceding meetings of senior officials and foreign ministers of the three countries.

"I think one of the important points which were touched upon in both these meetings which took place between the senior officials and also the ministers was the question of international terrorism, because that is a point of serious concern to all the countries. And I think they also touched upon and talked about the situation in Africa in terms of Somalia and the anti-piracy. So when you talk in terms of security, international terrorism and anti-piracy measures would be serious issues of concern in terms of the security dimension which brings into play," said Ganapathi.

He also stated that as the G20 summit was scheduled early next month in Cannes, France, the three countries would be looking to discuss the international economic crisis in relation to the summit.

"The summit comes on the backdrop of the serious international financial crisis and the G20 finance ministers meeting, which had completed its meeting over the weekend in Paris and this would be an important item on the agenda of the heads of state and government because they will also look towards the activities and their positions in the Cannes summit, the G20 Cannes summit is early next month, so obviously it becomes very significant from that point of view," he added.

The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, would also be discussing the regional situation including the deteriorating security scenario in Afghanistan Pakistan.

The focus of IBSA will be economic as three countries are aiming to boost the intra IBSA trade from current 15 billion US$ to 25 billion US$.

Dr. Singh will also discuss with his Brazilian and South African counterpart the common strategy for the forthcoming G 20 summit to be held in Cannes France early in November.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on opening of Diplomatic Academy is also expected to be signed by the IBSA leaders on Tuesday. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)