'Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation.'
Yoshita Singh and Lalit K Jha report from Washington, DC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump also vowed to strengthen efforts to fight terrorism and eliminate safe havens for terrorists.
"Eliminating terrorism is among the topmost priorities for us," Modi told reporters in his joint address with Trump at the White House.
The joint statement issued after the meeting between the leaders said the two sides 'called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terror attacks on other countries.'
It further called on Pakistan to 'expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot attacks and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups.'
"We talked about terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and agreed to cooperate on this," Modi said.
"Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation," the prime minister added.
Trump said both nations are "determined" to destroy terrorist organisations and the radical ideology that drives them.
"The security partnership between the US and India is incredibly important. Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organisations and the radical ideology that drives them. We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism," the US president said.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said the two nations noted that in their joint statement that terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought in every part of the world, and the US and India would do it together.
"Our militaries are working every day to enhance cooperation between our military forces, and next month they will join together with the Japanese navy to take part in the largest maritime exercise ever conducted in the Indian Ocean," Trump said.
Modi termed his talks with Trump, the first between the two leaders, as an "important page in the history of India-US relationship".
He said he discussed in detail with Trump defence and security cooperation between the two nations. The two leaders have spoken over phone thrice before this meeting.
Both leaders also expressed concern over the rising instability in Afghanistan caused by terrorism, and agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and stability in the war-torn country.
Trump also called for the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic programmess to be "rapidly" tackled, and thanked Modi for "joining us in applying new sanctions against Pyongyang."
"The North Korean regime is causing tremendous problems and is something that has to be dealt with, and probably dealt with rapidly," Trump said.
IMAGE: Army personnel pay tribute to slain army officer Lieutenant Ummer Fayyaz during his funeral at his native village Sudsona in Kulgam district. Photograph: PTI Photo
