Staff Reporter / New Delhi
Terming terrorism as cancer that potentially affects everyone, just as pandemic External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said today called for creation of global mechanisms to shut down the structures supporting the menace.
Countries that have turned the production of terrorists into a primary export have attempted to paint themselves as victims of terror, he said.
In his remarks at the 19th Darbari Seth memorial lecture organised by The Energy Research Institute(TERI), Dr. Jaishankar touched upon a plethora of issues including India’s global outlook, essence of a self-reliance and multilateralism.
In a clear reference to Pakistan, he said international pressure has eventually compelled a state complicit in “aiding, abetting, training and directing” terror groups and associated criminal syndicates to “acknowledge” the presence of wanted terrorists and organised crime leaders on its territory. A Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) by Pakistan last week mentioned names of 80 terrorists including Dawood Ibrahim, Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. Talking about challenge of terrorism, the external affairs minister said it is a cancer that potentially affects everyone, just as pandemics potentially impact upon all humanity.
Dr. Jaishankar said sustained pressure through international mechanisms to prevent the movement of funds for terror groups and their front agencies can bring positive results. Talking about India’s global approach, the external affairs minister said, the country demonstrated its global outlook through the humanitarian relief and medical assistance to around 150 nations.
