Terrorism a serious threat: Rajnath
NEW DELHI: Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security and support to any acts of terror is a crime against humanity, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday at a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe.
He reaffirmed India’s resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and said peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism, in remarks seen as directed at Pakistan. “Peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism. Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security,” Singh said in presence of defence ministers of China, Russia and other member countries of the SCO.
“Any act of terror and support
to such acts, including cross border terrorism, committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever motives, is a crime against humanity. India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
Singh said India accords high priority to the “consolidation of trust” in the security domain within the SCO as well as strengthening ties with partners of the grouping bilaterally on the basis of equality, mutual respect and understanding. “The challenge today is not just one of concepts and norms, but equally of their sincere practice. The leading voices of the world must be examples in every way,” he said without elaborating.
He said India is committed in its resolve to work within the SCO framework for helping create and maintain a peaceful, secure and stable region.
“India also reiterates readiness to partner with fellow SCO Member States to develop joint institutional capacities that respect individual national sensitivities and yet generate a spirit of cooperation to create contact and connectivity between people, societies and nations,” he said.
Singh said the geo-strategic location of India makes it both a “Eurasian land power” as well as a stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific.