'World should work closely to eradicate terrorism'

By Ferdi Turkten and Busra Nur Bilgic

ANKARA (AA) - All countries in the world should work closely to “eradicate the ugly face of terrorism from earth,” said Turkey’s presidential spokesman on Friday.

Speaking to experts at a think tank in the Indian capital New Delhi, Ibrahim Kalin said terrorism is a big concern for Turkey, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 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, Kalin said, according to a press release by the orgnizers.

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,” Kalin said, adding the nations have now a trade turnover of $8.4 billion and the new goal is to increase it to $10 billion.

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

Kalin also visited India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations between India and Turkey.

Turkey and India are in a “new page in their relations,” Kalin said.

He also had a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.