India and Iraq Must Cooperate to Counter Terrorism: National Security Advisor of Iraq

December 20, 2013

New Delhi: India with its historical ties with Iraq and a country which itself is inflicted with terrorism could be an ideal partner with Iraq in tackling international terror, said National Security Advisor of Iraq, Mr Falih Al Fayyadh, while speaking to the strategic community during his interaction at Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis on December 20, 2013.

With around 7 million Indians working in Gulf, India has strong interests in the region. Significantly, India like Iraq faces same challenges from externally supported extremist groups. Therefore, with vital interest in the region and itself a victim of terrorism, it is logical that both India and Iraq cooperate over the issue of terrorism, said the NSA.
Counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries can be in the form of information sharing and capacity building. This will require requires strong governmental and institutional cooperation from both the sides, insisted the NSA.

Addressing the issue of terrorism in his country, the NSA said that Iraq has transitioned from authoritarian to democracy under difficult conditions, but now faces the brunt of international terrorism, which is attacking the democratic process of Iraq. Terrorism is an unrealistic and unstable ideology but, unfortunately, this is supported by some of the rich countries in the region, said the NSA. The Minister however expressed satisfaction that the International community is now beginning to understand this and is willing to cooperate and assist Iraq in dealing with terrorism.

Mr Fayyadh is on an official visit to India, a follow up on the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister to India in August this year. He has met some senior Indian leaders during the visit.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Director General, IDSA, Dr Arvind Gupta acknowledged that India’s relationship with Iraq is on an upswing and Iraq is becoming one of the important players in the Arab world. It will have an important role to play in the present turmoil in the region.

IDSA and the Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies, Baghdad signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote academic exchanges between the two institutes.