Bali: Voicing serious concern over growing menace of terrorism and its consequences, India and the Philippines on October 7 agreed to exchange experience, information and intelligence to fight the scourge and decided to sign an extradition treaty to deal with it.

The issue figured prominently in wide-ranging talks Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had with the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the sidelines of the two-day 9th Summit of the 10- member ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), which began on October 7.

The Filipino Justice Minister would be visiting India soon to work out details about the extradition treaty, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said while briefing reporters on the bilateral meeting Vajpayee had with Arroyo, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha.

"When we see it (terrorism), we recognise it," Arroyo told the Prime Minister.

Significantly, the President of the Philippines, a long time ally of the US also sought an increase in Defence cooperation with India. The recent visit of Indian Army Chief Gen N C Vij to Manila also came up during the discussions.

During the meeting with Beratha, the Bali Governor referred to the devastating terrorist bombing at a nightclub in Bali on October 12 2002, which killed over 200 people, mostly foreigners.

Despite the bombing, the Governor told the Prime Minister that tourism was picking up in this Indonesian island resort and hoped that Indians would also consider it as a tourist destination.

Beratha presented a statue of Lord Ganesha to Vajpayee, which was a symbol of the Saraswati University in Bali.

PTI