Watch Videos: EAM S Jaishankar speaks on Pakistan, China, Afghanistan at UNSC meet; here are highlights of his speech

Watch Videos: EAM S Jaishankar speaks on Pakistan, China, Afghanistan at UNSC meet; here are highlights of his speech

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Thursday, August 19, 2021, 09:09 PM IST
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Watch Videos: EAM S Jaishankar speaks on Pakistan, China, Afghanistan at UNSC meet; here are highlights of his speech | Twitter/@DrSJaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a high-level United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meet on "Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts" on Thursday against the backdrop of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan over the weekend.

Here are highlights of EAM S Jaishankar's speech:

Pakistan-based terror groups like LeT and JeM continue to operate with both impunity and encouragement, Jaishankar told the UN Security Council, calling on it not to take a "selective view" on the scourge of terrorism and to have the courage to call out the "double speak" of those who extend state hospitality to individuals who have innocents' blood on their hands.

"In our own immediate neighbourhood, ISIL-Khorasan (ISIL-K) has become more energetic and is constantly seeking to expand its footprint. Events unfolding in Afghanistan have naturally enhanced global concerns about their implications for both regional and international security," he said.

"Whether it is in Afghanistan or against India, groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continue to operate with both impunity and encouragement," Jaishankar said.

It is therefore vital that the Security Council "does not take a selective, tactical or complacent view of the problems we face," the EAM said.

"We must never countenance sanctuaries for terrorists or overlook their raising of resources," he added.

Without naming Pakistan, where proscribed UN terrorists and terror groups enjoy safe havens and state support, Jaishankar said: "When we see state hospitality being extended to those with innocents' blood on their hands, we should never lack the courage to call out their double-speak."

He also drew parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and the scourge of terrorism, telling the powerful 15-nation UN body that "let us always remember that what is true of Covid is even more true of terrorism: none of us are safe until all of us are safe."

In a swipe at China, the EAM told the UN Security Council that countries should not place "blocks and holds" without any reason on requests to designate terrorists, warning that any double standards and distinctions between terrorists would be made only at "our own peril".

"The international community holds a collective view that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned. There cannot be any exception or justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivations behind such acts," S Jaishankar said.

Speaking in his national capacity, Jaishankar alluded to his remarks to the Council made in January this year when he had proposed an eight-point action plan aimed at collectively eliminating the scourge of terrorism.

"Summon the political will: don't justify terrorism, don't glorify terrorists; No double standards. Terrorists are terrorists; distinctions are made only at our own peril; Don't place blocks and holds on listing requests without any reason," he said.

"I call on this Council to collectively build on these principles. It is also important therefore to end the stalemate preventing the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which India has championed for so long," he said.

Asserting that there cannot be any exception or justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivations behind such acts, Jaishankar said, "We also recognise that the menace of terrorism cannot be and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.

However, in spite of the progress made to tighten the legal, security, financing and other frameworks to combat terrorism, terrorists are constantly finding newer ways of motivating, resourcing and executing acts of terror, he noted.

"Unfortunately, there are also some countries who seek to undermine or subvert our collective resolve to fight terrorism. This cannot be allowed to pass," he said.

Recalling the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, 2019 Pulwama attack, Jaishankar said, "We, in India, have had more than our fair share of challenges and casualties. We must never compromise with this evil."

"The world will be observing 4th International Day of Remembrance & Tribute to Victims of Terrorism day after tomorrow. Next month will also be 20 years of 9/11 tragedy in New York," he added.

Watch Videos:

(With PTI inputs)

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