There’s one epicentre of terror: Envoy to UK

LONDON: Indian high commissioner YK Sinha told an event of the Indian-Jewish Association on Wednesday that “there is one fountainhead, one epicentre” of terror, and said India-Israel unity at tackling the menace was an example for the world.

Speaking at the annual event of the association (established in 1996), Sinha did not name any country but recalled events in India’s neighbourhood to say that “there are those who believe in promoting terrorism as an instrument of state policy”.

Israel’s ambassador to the UK, Mark Regev, counted at least 10 commonalities between the two countries, and recalled that – unlike in Europe – there was no history of hatred towards the Jewish people in India.

On the recent attacks on Amarnath pilgrims, Sinha said, “This sort of dastardly act is not only confined to India. I know that Israel has borne the brunt of terrorism, even the UK ...”

“But we are clear in our minds where these attacks originate from. There is one fountainhead, one epicentre of terrorism, it is important that everybody recognises that. Global cooperation in tackling the menace of terrorism is extremely important,” he said.

Dolar Popat, member of the House of Lords, recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Israel as the chief minister of Gujarat, and had introduced the country’s technology in agriculture and irrigation in his state.

John Levy, co-chairman of the association, called Modi’s recent visit to Israel as a “joyous encounter”, and said the Indian and Israel diaspora faced similar challenges in the UK.