Dubai: UAE and India rejected extremism and any links between religion and terrorism in a joint statement issued on Monday at the end of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE.

The two countries condemned efforts, including by states, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries, and agreed to bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice.

In the joint statement, the UAE and India denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, calling on all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where its exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice.

Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said the UAE and India will also strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, other trans-national crimes, extradition arrangements, as well as police training.

“This will promote cooperation in cyber security, including preventing the use of cyber [infrastructure to promote] terrorism, radicalisation and disturb social harmony,” said Jaishankar while addressing a press conference in Dubai.

The joint statement also pledged to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean region, to promote collaboration and inter-operability for humanitarian assistance and evacuation in natural disasters and conflict situations.

The UAE and India will also strengthen defence relations, including through regular exercises and training of naval, air, land and special forces, and in coastal defence.

On the urgency to issue a joint statement on countering terrorism, Jaishankar said the growth of terrorism, radicalisation and the misuse of religion contributed to it.

“It is a concern shared by the governments of both countries. We both see manifestations of terrorism around us. In the broader region, it is a big factor in instability. When you have governments involved in some way, steps should also be taken to dismantle the infrastructure and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice,” Jaishankar said.