AGENCIES / Dushanbe
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that terrorism poses the gravest threat to the people in Asia and terrorists and their victims must never be equated.
He was speaking at the Fifth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia Summit in Tajikistan capital Dushanbe. Mr Jaishankar said that the CICA members are the victims of terrorism.
The Minister said the CICA has always shown a strong commitment to combat terrorism and extremism and adopt a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism.
He added that early finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, proposed by India, is today even more essential and India seeks support in this regard.
He said India supports a national peace and reconciliation process, which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. He further said that all initiatives and processes must include all sections of Afghan society, including the legitimately elected government.
The Minister said the lack of energy security has emerged as another key developmental challenge, adding that India has supported a better dialogue between consumers and producers for a stable energy market and for promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Sharing India’s vision for a more secure and prosperous Asia as well as its concerns, Mr Jaishankar said that the 21st century is being hailed as the Asian century and CICA can surely play a useful role in promoting peace, security and development in Asia.
The CICA is a pan-Asia forum for enhancing cooperation and promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.