UAE, Japan back India's battle against terrorism

The leadership of Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) backed India's fight against terrorism as two multi-party delegations interacted with politicians, officials and experts in Tokyo and Abu Dhabi to forge a united front and highlight Pakistan's role in supporting cross-border terror.

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI:

The two delegations left India on Wednesday for Southeast Asia, and West Asia and Africa, to inform key interlocutors about India's new approach to combating terrorism sponsored by Pakistan and to explain the rationale behind Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack last month that killed 26 civilians.

The delegation, led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met Japan's foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya and informed him of India's "national consensus and resolute commitment to combat terrorism in all forms", according to a social media post by the Indian embassy in Tokyo.

Iwaya extended condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and said terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. He said Japan "stands in solidarity with India and is determined to work together with the international community to resolutely combat terrorism", according to a readout from Japan's foreign ministry.