Terrorism is enemy of basic human rights of life, peace and prosperity, says Sushma Swaraj
BEJING
India today said that the fight against terrorism should not only seek to eliminate terrorists, but also take strong measures against States that support, finance and provide sanctuary to terror groups.
India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said this in her address at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Beijing today. Mrs Swaraj said, terrorism is an enemy of basic human rights of life, peace and prosperity.
She said, terrorists seek to destroy the architecture of international stability and build walls of fear in societies that believe in pluralism. The External Affairs Minister also called upon the international community to unite across the differences, strengthen the resolve and script an effective strategy against terrorism. She asserted that there is an urgent need to establish the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Mrs Swaraj also reiterated India’s strong support to the Afghan Government-led peace and reconciliation process in the war torn country. She pitched for the activation of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, the Moscow Consultation Format and other mechanisms of dialogue and co-operation for restoration of peace and development in the country.
The External Affairs Minister again called for a reformed UN Security Council saying there is a need to make it more representative of contemporary realities. She also reaffirmed India’s commitment to undertake mutual co-operation for reducing the cost of deployment of renewable energy.
Mrs Swaraj also said, India is committed to working with SCO to strengthen the economic and investment ties. She said, protectionism should be rejected in all its forms and efforts should be made to discipline measures that constitute barriers to trade.
Besides Mrs Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also in Beijing to attend the SCO Defence Ministers meet.The two meetings are part of the preparations for the SCO summit to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao in June.