Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Thai counterpart Thaksin Shinawatara on Thursday underlined the need to tackle terrorism.

During their 20-minute meeting, the two leaders felt the need for sharing intelligence information and cooperation in the defence sector.

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External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said India had offered to supply defence equipment to Thailand.

According to Sinha, Thaksin told Vajpayee that terrorists operating in India would not be allowed to misuse Thai territory.

"On the bilateral front Thailand and India are entering into a new partnership and it is the beginning of a new era in our relationship," Sinha said.

Vajpayee had suggested the early finalisation of three agreements that are currently under discussion. These are in the areas of mutual legal assistance treaty, extradition treaty and transfer of convicted offenders treaty, Sinha said.

"The morning meeting was very comprehensive engagement between Thailand and India and a sincere desire came out between the two prime ministers to move forward in promoting ties on all fronts," the minister added.