Stating that there is no place for double standards in tackling terrorism, India’s envoy to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said there can be no good or bad terrorists.
Her comments are seen to be directed at Pakistan and China. China has blocked several proposals to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists. She said so during a media briefing.
“Those who propagate this distinction have an agenda and those who cover up for them are just as culpable. The terrorist threat persists and despite our best efforts has evolved.Terror in all its forms is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and addressing the use of new technologies for terrorist purposes has become an issue of increasing concern because of the rapid rise in digitalisation,” said the Indian envoy.
“Institutional arrangements and decision-making processes at the UN were outdated. And India’s objective proposals for terrorist listings were running into objections on technicalities and geo-strategic alliances far removed from the cause for listing,” she added highlighting how terrorists are going scot free.
India to host UN CTC meeting
This week India is hosting a special meeting of the UN Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC).
The meeting will focus on fashioning a global response to the use of new technologies to counter terrorism. Especially new digital payment systems and drones. There will be an informal opening session on October 28 at the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.
This venue has special significance. It has seen the ugly face of Islamic terror during 2008 attack. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists had made it their main target. The Islamic terrorists had unleashed a three-day wave of carnage in Mumbai in November 2008.
According to reports, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, UK foreign secretary James Cleverly, Gabon foreign minister Michael Moussa Adamo, Ghana foreign minister Shirley Ayorkar Botchwey, UAE minister of state for international cooperation Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Albania’s deputy foreign minister Megi Fino and a delegation from the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) led by under secretary general Vladimir Voronkov will take part in the meeting.
All 15 members of the UN Security Council join a solemn ceremony at Hotel Taj Palace. Besides, five incoming members of the UN body will also participate in the ceremony. During the ceremony, they will lay a wreath at the 26/11 memorial site. Moreover, the participants will observe a minute’s silence for the 166 victims of the terror attacks.
Some victims of the Mumbai attacks will also address participants.