World should work closely to eradicate terrorism: Kalın

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

All Countries in the world should work closely to “eradicate the ugly face of terrorism from earth,” said Turkey’s presidential spokesman on April 26.

Speaking to experts at a think tank in the Indian capital New Delhi, İbrahim Kalın said terrorism is a big concern for Turkey, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan telephoned the prime ministers of both India and Pakistan following the February terror attack which killed nearly 40 paramilitary troops in Jammu and Kashmir.

The attack plummeted relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors as India blamed Pakistan for the attack in the insurgency-hit region held by both countries in parts.

Only a political dialogue between India and Pakistan can resolve the issues between two countries, Kalın said, according to a press release by the organizers.

He also condemned the recent bombings in Sri Lanka which have killed at least 253 people so far.

Underlining the need to look after people culturally, socially and economically, he said: “Security is not just policing. It is much more than that."

Speaking about the U.S. sanctions on Tehran, he reiterated that Iran is a resilient nation and will survive difficult times.

“We are looking forward to the Indian prime minister’s visit [to Turkey] later this year,” Kalın said, adding the nations have now a trade turnover of $8.4 billion and the new goal is to increase it to $10 billion.

Erdoğan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have met four times since the Turkish president's visit to New Delhi in 2017.

Kalın also visited India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on April 25 to discuss bilateral relations between India and Turkey.

Turkey and India are in a “new page in their relations,” Kalın said. He also had a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.