Plural and open democracies are the target of scourge of terrorism that strikes at the very root of tolerance, the mainstay of civil society in a free world.Of the many other threats to peace, democracy and development, none has become as dangerous as international terrorism, with its links to religious extremism, drug trafficking and the commerce in illicit arms. Plural and open democracies are the target of scourge of terrorism that strikes at the very root of tolerance, the mainstay of civil society in a free world.
For more than a decade now, India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism that has claimed thousands of innocent livesIndia calls for united global action against these dangers...
The world must see the reality as it is. The acid test of sincerity of purpose is not words, but deeds. Terrorism and dialogue do not go together....Countries should co operate and work closely to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in Small arms and Light weapons by adopting an International Program of Action of Agreed Measures ", said, Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, at the UN General Assembly Millennium Summit. These words were not enough to wake up the world to awareness if not action. These were probably taken as opinion from a country with their own immediate concern, expressed with the primary aim of mustering international support against their adversaries. The World Community closed their eyes and ears to wake up to the bang of September 11.
The terrorist's attack on US demonstrated that International Terrorism has emerged as the most potent threat to the International community. It has engulfed the whole world in one-way or the other.
India along with the Central Asian countries has been feeling the impact of the overflow of terrorism linked activities in their countries. Militant groups in these Republics have been influenced by the religious extremism spreading outward from this region. The growing threat of violence has led these countries not only to co-operate among themselves but also to seek the help of like-minded countries so as to evolve a framework of cooperation to contain the movement of terrorists as well as arms. In this regard, convergence between India and the Central Asian Republics (CAR) could be arrived at on the issue of terrorism led by religious fundamentalists, which is best exemplified by the Afghan-Pakistan complex, exporting men and material not only to India, but also to the CARs.Thus, nations have to look beyond their geographic boundaries with a common vision to stem the growth of this phenomenon.
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