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Journalism of Courage
A key agreement on setting up a joint working group for combating international terrorism was inked today amid growing concern over militant outfits setting up base along the Mauritian coastline.
A senior MEA official told The Indian Express that though not on a large scale but both Mauritian and Indian officials have exchanged notes on the activities of outfits such as Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Indian High Commissioner B.S. Haer agreed that terrorist activities in Mauritius needed to be kept under watch. Officially, the MEA said there were ‘‘no specific instances’’ of suspected Hizbul or LeT functionaries causing violence in any way. Some anti-US literature has, however, been noticed. And there have been a few instances of communal tension. The Indian concern is understandable. Cases of drug trafficking are quite high on the island so there remains the risk of drug money being used to fund terrorism.
Under the agreement, a joint working group (JWG) will oversee bilateral cooperation in fighting terrorism and threats like organised crime, illicit trafficking of arms and narcotics, money laundering etc. The agreement allows the two governments to cooperate on investigation, arrest, deportation, extradition and prosecution of identified terror suspects.
The JWG will explore means to prevent the flow of funds to terrorist networks, especially through non-banking channels. In a way, the agreement will make it impossible for a terror suspect from India to seek refuge in Mauritius.
