Terrorism, the single gravest threat humanity is facing today: President Mukherjee

In the wake of recent terror attacks in India and other major parts of the world, President Pranab Mukherjee spoke about terrorism being the single gravest threat to humanity today. Addressing an international conference on counter terrorism conference in Jaipur, Mr Mukherjee said: “There is no good or bad terrorism. It is pure and simple evil.” “The world should act against states that support and sponsor terrorism as an instrument of state policy,” Mr Mukherjee said.  He inaugurated the conference on counter-terrorism in Jaipur on February 2. The conference was also attended by Afghanistan CEO Abdullah Abdullah who is on a three day-visit to India from February 1-3. The conference, which brought together scholars and practitioners, witnessed the top echelons of India’s national security establishment enunciating their views on counter-terrorism policies.  Speaking about terror impact on the world, Mr Mukherjee said, “There is unprecedented turbulence across vast regions, with alarming increase in regional instabilities. The scourge of terrorism has reshaped war into its most barbaric manifestation. No corner in the world is now safe from this savage monster.” The recent Pathankot terror attacks on January 2 has led to growing concerns in India’s security establishment. “Terrorism is undoubtedly the single gravest threat that humanity is facing today. Whether in Paris or Pathankot, terrorist attacks on democracies are attacks against fundamental values of liberty, freedom and universal brotherhood. Terrorism is a global threat which poses an unprecedented challenge to all nations,” Mr Mukherjee said. Speaking about how terrorism has become globally interconnected, Mr Mukherjee emphasised on the diminishing boundaries with the rise of non-state actors who are trying to be the State themselves and spreading radical ideologies across societies. He also spoke about the use of technologies by terror to the fullest extent to attract youth. In recent times there have been reports about Indian youth wanting to join the IS and other outfits. Some of them were detained in Syria and the UAE. Stressing on the importance of counter terrorism, Mr Mukherjee said: “Counter terrorism is generally considered to be about tactics, weapons, force levels and intelligence gathering. While these things are important the predominant focus has to be on the political management of terrorism.  This includes addressing issues of ideology and dealing with countries that sponsor or support terrorism. It is imperative that the world in one voice rejects all manifestations of terrorism, without distinction, and proscribes States that support or sponsor terrorism as an instrument of State policy.”