Tuesday, March 15 2005 09:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Singapore yesterday (Mar 14, 2005) discussed ways to enhance cooperation to combat terrorism, including exchanging information, stifling flow of foreign funds and blocking access of small arms to terrorists.

The issue was the main focus of the 30-minute discussion Home Minister Shivraj Patil had with visiting Singapore Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean in New Delhi.

Patil and Teo also were of the view that there should be increased international cooperation in checking the menace, a Home Ministry spokesman said.

Teo, who is in India on a three-day visit in connection with joint-military exercises, conveyed to Patil that Singapore had views similar to that of India's on the fight against terror, the spokesman said.

The Home Minister said that the two countries could enhance exchange of information, halt flow of foreign funds and prevent access of small arms to terrorists.

Patil also voiced concern over the danger of terrorists getting access to radiological, biological and chemical weapons and said greater international cooperation was needed to check such movement.

India and Singapore had held their first meeting of a Joint Working Group (JWG) on combating terrorism in December 2003 and the second meeting would be held this year.