Seeking greater global cooperation to fight terror, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has asked Pakistan to be resolute in combating the menace.

“I count on Pakistan authorities to show that they are resolute in combating terrorism,” Sarkozy said at a commemorative function at Trident-Oberoi Hotel, one of the sites of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Comparing the Mumbai terror strikes to 9/11 attacks in the US, he said, “We shall stand by India so that justice is delivered”.

Calling for international cooperation to check terror, Sarkozy said terrorism should be outlawed universally. “We should have true international cooperation to combat terrorism,” he said.

Sarkozy also honoured Karambir Kang of Taj Hotel and Devendra Bharma of Trident-Oberoi for their efforts in saving lives during 26/11 attacks with `Insignia of Officer of Ordre National Du Merite’ for distinguished service.

Earlier, on arrival in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, the French President paid tributes to the 26/11 martyrs at the Police Memorial on Marine Drive.

Accompanied by wife Carla Bruni and French officials, the President laid a wreath in the memory of the martyred security personnel and observed a minute’s silence.

166 people were killed by ten terrorists who stormed South Mumbai late on 26^th November 2008, targeting a pub, two luxury hotels, country’s oldest and biggest railway terminus (CST), a Jewish centre and a hospital, among others.

DGP Sivanandan, Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal were among the top police officials present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, France on Monday joined India in pressing Pakistan to actively prosecute the “authors” and their accomplices of Mumbai terror attacks expeditiously, addressing a joint media interaction with Singh, Sarkozy said Pakistan should fight terrorism “determinedly”.

Terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan was among the issues that were discussed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nicolas Sarkozy with both expressing concern over the continuing existence of safe havens and sanctuaries for terror groups in these countries.

“With the tragic losses suffered in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai particularly in mind, we call for the active prosecution of the authors of such crimes and their accomplices, and urge that they be brought to justice expeditiously,” a joint statement, issued after the meeting, said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

Addressing a joint media interaction with Singh, Sarkozy said Pakistan should fight terrorism “determinedly”.

Terrorism strikes not only the people and the interests of our two countries but also imperils peace and stability of our respective regions and the world.

We reaffirm our irrevocable condemnation of this scourge in all its forms and our will to intensify our cooperation to counter it, the statement said.

“Since our Joint Statement of 25 January 2008, we have aimed at intensifying bilateral consultations and exchanges with the objective of better assessing these threats and sharing relevant information”.

“Today, we have decided to make this cooperation a priority of the Indo-French security relationship,” it said.

The two leaders affirmed to continue to enhanced bilateral operational cooperation as far as possible and ensure that the widest possible measure of mutual legal assistance is rendered, and that extradition requests are processed expeditiously.

The two governments will coordinate their endeavours in international bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force in order to define common positions and promote concrete initiative, the statement said.

“In the pursuance of our efforts to strengthen the international legal framework against terrorism, we resolve to intensify our efforts to urgently conclude the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations,” it said.

“France and India call on all countries to become part, as a matter of urgency, of all international counter- terrorism conventions,” it added.

Both sides also reiterated the importance of adhering to sanctions regime against Al Qaeda and Taliban as established by UNSCR 1267 and subsequent resolutions and the need to preserve its credibility.