US envoy discusses terror, tolerance with Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - US ambassador Timothy J. Roemer Friday met Home Minister P. Chidambaram and discussed with him ways to expand counter-terror cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting took place on the eve of the ninth anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York that killed more than 2,500 people.

Chidambaram conveyed India’s concern over threats by a small American church in Florida to torch copies of the Quran on the anniversary of the attacks.

“We are talking about the global cooperation between India and the US on terrorism,” Roemer told reporters after the meeting, while stressing that the India-US ties are growing in all sectors.

The US envoy acknowledged India’s concerns and decried such acts of intolerance.

“As we learn of plans by one misguided individual in the US to burn the holy Quran on the 9/11 anniversary, valuing the diversity of our communities and working together for our greater good has never been more important,” said Roemer.

“It is also more important than ever before that we speak clearly and consistently about our commitment to religious tolerance. I condemn such acts as disrespectful, intolerant, divisive, and un-representative of American values,” said Roemer.

The deliberate destruction of any holy book is an abhorrent act, he said, while lauding India’s “welcoming, tolerant, multi-faith society”.

“Religious freedom is a value enshrined in the US Constitution and one of the many core values we share with the people of India,” he said while conveying Eid greetings to the Muslims of India.