US to add Mumbai in 'Strong Cities Network' in fight against terrorism

Washington: Both India and U.S. in their joint declaration on combating terrorism announced here on Tuesday that Mumbai would be included in the `Strong Cities Network`, which is an initiative by the U.S to build sub-national resiliency against violent extremism.

The declaration also announced the initiative of the U.S.-India Megacity Policing Exchange, an initiative to deepen collaboration on training and community policing between local and state law enforcement.

Responding to Editor, News at ANI Smita Prakash`s question as to what did the `Strong Cities Network` initiative entail, MEA Joint Secretary Americas, Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that initiative intends to focus on large metropolitans and their policing when it comes to terror threats.

"It`s basically a U.S. initiative on the mega city policing. Essentially, the underlying thought is that the policing needs of large metropolitans when it comes to terrorist threat tend to be of a very different nature," Kwatra said.

"The invitation is from U.S. to include Mumbai in the network," he added.

When asked by ANI as to what were the decisions made by India and the U.S to jointly combat terrorism, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Terrorism is the biggest menace and also the greatest challenge. We reiterate the threat posed by Al Qaeda, LeT, JeM, D company and the Haqqani Network and other regional groups."

She also added that both nations will join hands on their efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.