In a 1st, Saudi joins India in condemning terror export

NEW DELHI: In a joint statement issued after PM Modi's meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both sides strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Significantly, Saudi joined India for the first time in specifically condemning cross-border terrorism. In previous leaders' statements, like those issued after Modi's visit to Saudi in 2016 and 2019, both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations but without an explicit mention of cross-border terrorism.
"In this context (Pahalgam attack), the two sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations, and emphasised that this remains one of the gravest threats to humanity. They agreed there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever," said the statement. "They rejected any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture. They welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism and terror financing. They condemned cross-border terrorism, and called on all States to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where it exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly." tnn