Recent terror attacks not just against SL: Indian HC at BIDTI

India has been the first to respond with manpower and material. India has also completed several people oriented development projects all across the island

Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the recent attacks in Sri Lanka is not just against Sri Lanka and terrorism anywhere in the world attacks the conscience of the whole of humanity.

He said the divisive Jihadi ideology needs to be isolated and eliminated, as it is a threat to regional security and global peace.

HC Sandhu made this observation at a function to mark the inauguration of the 21st Diploma Course in Diplomacy & World Affairs at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) in Colombo.

He said Indian Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka this weekend at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

“This will be a part of the first overseas trip of Prime Minister Modi after his re-election. He will carry the message of solidarity and hope from the people of India to the people of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of April 21 attacks. Terrorism and radicalism pose a collective threat to humanity,” he said.

“The first day of PM Modi in office after the swearing in ceremony was dedicated to meeting leaders of neighbouring nations including Sri Lanka. It is a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the special relations with its neighbours. India has always been a first responder to Sri Lanka’s needs and priorities, whether it be the flood or drought India has been the first to respond with manpower and material. India has also completed several people oriented development projects all across the island, as pure gifts from the people of India.

India-sri Lanka relations have seen landmark changes in the last five years. PM Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka after a gap of 28 years, with his historic visit to the island in March 2015. He visited

Sri Lanka again in May 2017 as Chief Guest at the International Vesak Day celebrations. The decisive mandate for PM Modi in the recent elections in India is a reflection of support for a continuation of the Government’s policies. The continuation and further strengthening of these policies is also in Sri Lanka’s interest.

The core aim of India’s foreign policy is to ensure safety and security of its 1.3 billion people and to meet their genuine developmental aspirations. While pursuing India’s objectives, India is not governed by self-interest alone. India has always believed in sharing its developmental successes. Growing together has been the basic tenet of India’s foreign policy. As Prime Minister Modi has said, India seeks a future for the Indian Ocean that lives up to the name of SAGAR- Security and Growth for All in the Region,” he said.

He said, “Individual countries cannot remain peaceful, secure and prosperous, if the region and world at large were to be in turmoil. It is a highly interconnected world today. We cannot banish another’s misery as his or her own problem; it is as much ours as his or hers. It is in our individual and collective interest to maintain world peace and collective stability. Internet and cyberspace have revolutionized the way we think and act. While digital age technology and social media have brought humanity together, it has also become a potential weapon for the spread of aggression and intolerance.