India described terrorism as a “serious threat” to international peace and security, and to the entire humanity and called upon the international community to send out a message that it will “never give up” on holding terrorists accountable and delivering justice.
Speaking at the informal opening session of the two-day anti-terrorism meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in Mumbai, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the task of bringing the mastermind and perpetrators of the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack to justice remains unfinished.
“We have heard the voices of its victims today. Their loss is immeasurable and can never be made up. However, it’s incumbent on us, as responsible members of the international community to remember that trauma and to persevere in our efforts to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice. We owe this to every victim of terrorism across the world,” he said.
The UNSC Special Meeting of Counter-Terrorism Committee, under New Delhi’s chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), was held at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, one of the places attacked by a 10-member team of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in November 2008.
“In another month, we will be observing 14th anniversary of the ghastly attacks on Mumbai in November 2008. While one of the terrorists was captured alive, prosecuted and convicted by the highest court in India, key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 attacks continue to remain protected…We have endeavoured to bring the mastermind and perpetrators of the attack to justice. This task remains unfinished,” Jaishankar said at the 26/11 Memorial.
Curb terror financing to combat terrorism: EAM
The External Affairs Minister underscored that a key aspect of combating terrorism is to “effectively curb” terror financing.
“We all know that money is the lifeblood of terrorism. Terrorist organisations require funds and resources to maintain their organizational functions and undertake activities. The reality that terrorism continues to exist and expand points to an underlying truth: that terrorism continues to get the necessary financial resources to thrive,” he noted.
He also said that UNSC has been “regrettably” unable to act in some cases when it comes to proscribing some terrorists because of “political considerations”.
“When it comes to proscribing some of these terrorists, the Security Council has regrettably been unable to act in some cases because of political considerations. This undermines our collective credibility and our collective interests,” he added.
Terrorism plagued several regions of world: EAM
Though terrorism has “plagued” several regions of the world, it will not weaken “our commitment” to fight back, said Jaishankar.
“Terrorism may have plagued several regions of the world. We, in India, understand its cost more than others. But with that experience, comes the steeling of national resolve. Decades of cross-border terror has not and will not weaken our commitment to fight back,” he added.
The minister said that the battle against terrorism must be fought “resolutely” at all fronts, all situations and all places.
“Our real tribute to the victims will be to rededicate ourselves to combating and eliminating the menace of terrorism. And this by stronger determination and joint action. We must rise above our political differences to address this scourge. ..We cannot be found wanting in our efforts. As the UN Secretary General stated, “Terrorism is pure evil, one with which we can never compromise,” he added.
EAM thanks UNSC members
Members of the international community attended the meeting at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace and paid tribute to victims of terrorism.
Jaishankar thanked UNSC members for participating in the special meeting and said their presence demonstrates their commitment towards “combating the common threat of terrorism”.
“Your presence here demonstrates the commitment that each one of you and your countries and all other stakeholders from various organisations have shown towards combating the common threat of terrorism. It expresses too our collective resolve at strengthening the multilateral efforts led by the United Nations to address this threat holistically and collectively,” he said.
Delegates from several countries excluding Pakistan attended the meeting. China, France, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil delegates were present at the meeting.
During a special press briefing on the UNSC CTC, Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said that there is no better place to open the series of important discussions than Mumbai, a city, which reflects the best of India in terms of its economic development in recent years.
“The fact that the CTC has agreed to begin its deliberations in Mumbai is a message in itself.”
The theme of the special meeting is ‘Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes.’
