The additional protocol to the South Asian Association for Rregional Cooperation's Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism has come into force with all the seven countries of the grouping ratifying it to wage a joint war against the scourge of terrorism.

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With the aim of having zero tolerance to terrorism in all forms and manifestations, SAARC foreign ministers felt that the additional protocol would help the member countries to meet the challenge of terrorism.

"The additional protocol has now been ratified by all member countries. This a very welcome development," Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told reporters as the foreign ministers began their one-day meeting ahead of the 13th SAARC summit.

In addition to facilitating exchange of information on the activities of terrorist elements and the funding process, the protocol would now cover specific measures which would enable SAARC countries to "work together on the legal side as well", Saran said.

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The additional protocol, which enables member countries to take measures to prevent and suppress financing of terrorist activities, was adopted at the Islamabad summit in January 2004.

The protocol was comprehensive in nature as it had come post-9/11, Mr Saran said. "A clear message must go out from the SAARC summit that there is zero tolerance for terrorism in any form or manifestation," he said.