Bangkok: Carrying forward their fight against terrorism, India and Thailand on February 1 called for concerted international action to deal with the scourge and decided to institutionalise bilateral security co-operation while seeking to expedite conclusion of extradition treaty between the two countries.

In a joint statement issued in Bangkok, visiting Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and his Thai counterpart Wissanu Krea-Ngam said the two sides have agreed to speed up conclusion of mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters, an agreement on transfer of convicted prisoners and also over a memorandum on understanding (MoU) on narcotics trafficking control.

"Recent terrorist act in various parts of the world have demonstrated that terrorism is a global phenomenon, which requires concerted international action," the statement said.

The treaties would provide legal sustenance to bilateral co-operation in these areas, it added.

Referring to the parleys Advani had with Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra and other top leaders during his three-day stay, the statement said that during the wide ranging discussions both sides exchanged views on strengthening security co- operation, especially in respect of terrorist activities, which threaten stability in the region.

The two sides also agreed to hold a meeting of joint working group (JWG) on security at the earliest. India offered to host the first meeting of the JWG, the statement said.

The statement said Advani and Krea-Ngam exchanged views and assessments on other areas of common concern covering money laundering, currency and document counterfeiting and fraud, management of pluralistic societies and trafficking in human beings, arms and drugs.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction that the feasibility study on establishing a bilateral free trade area had been completed and adopted, it said adding they hoped the framework agreement, which is under negotiation will be concluded soon.

They also discussed measures to diversify and enhance bilateral co-operation in the fields of biotechnology, space applications for national development, civil aviation, tourism and Information Technology.

India and Thailand shared common views on international issues and would benefit from co-operation and co-ordination in various multilateral fora, the statement said adding they also looked forward to the evolving of the Asian co-operation dialogue as an effective tool for the continentwide co-operation and the implementation of the Asian bond scheme proposed by Thailand.

PTI