Thursday, March 2 2006 17:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Noting that terrorism was a global scourge that must be rooted out, India and the United States today(Mar 2,2006) pledged to work together to protect the free flow of commerce and to counter threats that could undermine maritime security.

A Joint Statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush welcomed the increased cooperation between the two countries in the defence area since the New Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship was signed last year.

"The successful joint exercises, expanded defence cooperation and information sharing, and greater opportunities to jointly develop technologies and address security and humanity issues was an evidence of growing ties between the two countries," it said.

The two nations also agreed to the conclusion of a Maritime Cooperation Framework to enhance security in the maritime domain, to prevent piracy and other transnational crimes at sea, carry out search and rescue operations and combat marine pollution.

The two sides also agreed to respond to natural disasters, address emergent threats and enhance cooperative capabilities, including through logistics support, the joint statement said.

The United States also welcomed India's intention to join the Container Security Initiative aimed at making global maritime trade and infrastructure more secure and reducing the risk of shipping containers being used to conceal weapons of mass destruction.