External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today stated that zero tolerance for terrorism must be an uncompromising universal norm. In his opening remarks at the 2nd India – Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting which is underway in New Delhi, Dr Jaishankar said terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a common threat for India and the Arab nations. He highlighted that cross-border terrorism is particularly unacceptable because it violates the basic principles of international relations and diplomacy. He further stated that societies targeted by terrorism have the right to defend themselves and will understandably exercise it. He stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat this global scourge.
Dr Jaishankar said, India has strong partnerships with all League of Arab States, LAS nations and much of this is rooted in history. He said, they are meeting at an important juncture where the global order is undergoing transformation for a variety of reasons, and politics, economics, technology and demography are all fully into play. He said this is apparent in West Asia where the landscape has undergone a dramatic change in the last year. He added that this impacts India as a proximate region, and its implications are relevant for India’s relationship with Arab nations as well to a considerable degree.
The External Affairs Minister pointed out that multiple developments have taken place in West Asia over the last few years and many of them have reverberated well beyond the region. He said, the situation in Gaza, in particular, has been the focus for the international community. He emphasised that taking forward the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict is a widely shared priority today. He added that various countries have made policy declarations on the peace plan individually or collectively.
The External Affairs Minister noted that the situation in Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Libya also merit collective attention. He said the direction of events in Syria is also critical for the well-being of the region.
