Jaishankar takes swipe at Pak, China on terrorism
Addressing the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar stated that India has a ‘zero-tolerance‘ approach towards terrorism.
Jaishankar stated, “Having borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism for decades, India firmly advocates a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach. In our view, there is no justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivation. And no rhetoric, however sanctimonious can ever hide blood-stained hands.”
While highlighting India’s firm stance against terrorism, he even hit out at India’s neighbours Pakistan and China, without naming any of them directly.
Jaishankar said, “The United Nations responds to terrorism by sanctioning its perpetrators. Those who politicize the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril. Believe me, they advance neither their own interests nor indeed their reputation.”
“India has always espoused a cooperative, inclusive, and consultative approach to international relations,” Jaishankar said. He also mentioned that India will chair the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee this year, and it will be hosting a special meeting in Mumbai and Delhi.
Jaishankar added that negotiations for the much-needed UN Security Council reforms should not be blocked by procedural tactics and naysayers cannot hold the process “hostage in perpetuity.” India, currently a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UN Security Council, will complete its two-year tenure in December this year when it will preside over the Council.
“India is prepared to take up greater responsibilities. But it seeks at the same time to ensure that the injustice faced by the Global South is decisively addressed,” Jaishankar said in his address to the UN General Assembly’s high-level General Debate.
“In our term, we have acted as a bridge on some serious but divisive issues confronting the Council. We have also focused on concerns such as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism. Our contributions range from providing technology with a human touch to ensuring the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers,” Jaishankar said.
He emphasized that New Delhi’s call is to allow serious negotiations on such a critical matter to proceed sincerely. “They must not be blocked by procedural tactics. Naysayers cannot hold the IGN process hostage in perpetuity.” In these turbulent times, it is essential that the world listens to more voices of reason. And experiences more acts of goodwill. India is willing and able on both counts, he said.
Underlining that India believes that multipolarity, rebalancing, fair globalization, and reformed multilateralism cannot be kept in abeyance, Jaishankar said that the call for reformed multilateralism – with reforms of the Security Council at its core – enjoys considerable support among UN members.
“It does so because of the widespread recognition that the current architecture is anachronistic and ineffective. It is also perceived as deeply unfair, denying entire continents and regions a voice in a forum that deliberates their future,” he said.
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