India on Tuesday called on all member states of the United Nations Security Council to fulfill their obligations enshrined in international counter terrorism instruments and conventions. Speaking at the UNSC Open Debate on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also urged the nations to show the political will to unhesitatingly combat terrorism.
“There must be no ifs and buts in this fight. Nor should we allow terrorism to be justified or terrorists glorified,” he said.
The minister stressed on the need to reform the working methods of the committees dealing with sanctions and counter terrorism, adding that transparency, accountability and effectiveness are the need of the day.
“The practice of placing blocks and holds on listing requests without any rhyme or reason must end. This only erodes our collective credibility,” Jaishankar said.
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Taking an apparent dig at Pakistan, the minister said those who cover up for terrorists are equally culpable. “Terrorists are terrorists; there is no good or bad distinction. Those who propagate this only have an agenda,” he said.
Without naming the neighbouring country, the minister further said that the linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime must be fully recognized and addressed vigorously. “We, in India, have seen the crime syndicate responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts not just given State protection but enjoying 5-star hospitality,” he said.
Jaishankar urged member countries to firmly discourage the exclusivist thinking that divides the world and harms the social fabric. Such approaches facilitate radicalisation and recruitment by breeding fear, mistrust, and hatred among different communities, he cautioned.
He asserted that enlisting and delisting individuals and entities under the UN sanctions regimes must be done objectively, not for political or religious considerations. Proposals in this regard merit due examination before circulation, he added.
Jaishankar observed that combating terrorist financing will only be as effective as the weakest jurisdiction. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) should continue to identify and remedy weaknesses in anti-money laundering and counter-terror can make a big difference, he said.
The minister also called for adequate funding to UN Counter Terrorism bodies from UN regular budget.
