Indo-Uzbek road map to fight terrorism

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 1. With terrorism from Afghanistan knocking on its door, Uzbekistan's President, Mr. Islam Karimov, arrived here tonight to finalise with India, a road-map to combat this menace.

The two sides, during Mr. Karimov's three-day trip, will sign nine agreements, most of which aim to underpin a common political understanding to counter common threats to their security.

India and Uzbekistan are aware that the spill-over of terrorism from the Afghan hub has larger geopolitical ramifications. The spread of religious extremism towards Uzbekistan, for instance, can destabilise resource-rich Central Asia. For India, the security implications are also negative as the consolidation of radicalism in Afghanistan will harden extremist pressures on Kashmir. Afghanistan today is the nucleus from where insurgences are fanning out in the direction of Central and South Asia. Its ripple effects are felt as far as the Caucasus mountains, acutely affecting Russia.

Given the high stakes, New Delhi and Tashkent, during Mr. Karimov's stay will sign a joint declaration on principles to anchor their future relationship. The far-reaching document will be signed by the visiting President and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, on Tuesday.

Sources here said the two countries were in favour of launching a joint initiative to counter terrorism from Afghanistan, with an option to co-opt other like-minded countries if required. Uzbekistan senses a great urgency in formalising such a plan. Already, radical elements of the United Uzbek Opposition are converging in Kandahar - the base from where they are expected to launch a cross-border onslaught against Tashkent across the Amu Darya. Elements of the pro-Pakistan Taliban in Kandahar are also expected to join this group.

India and Uzbekistan, during Mr. Karimov's stay, will sign an extradition treaty and a legal assistance pact on criminal matters. The customs administration of the two countries will also sign a ``mutual assistance'' agreement.

India has decided to extend a $ 10 million credit line to Uzbekistan to add an economic dimension to a mainly political relationship so far. Indian pharmaceutical firms, however, have now entrenched themselves in Uzbekistan.

Besides, the two countries will sign pacts in the fields of agriculture research, culture, information and mass media.

Mr. Karimov, over the next two days, will hold talks with the Prime Minister and the President. On Wednesday, he will address the Confederation of Indian Industry and address the media.

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