(TOI)
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj focused on terrorism at the SCOsummit in Russia’s Sochi Friday demanding a better intelligence sharing mechanism among member countries of the security grouping even as she said that terrorism could not be associated with any religion or ethnic group.
As she condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and said there could be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism, Swaraj asserted India was determined to consistently strengthen cooperation within the SCO framework and to work together to seek comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.
India and Pakistan, which was represented at the summit by its PM Shahid Abbasi, are newly inducted full members of the central Asia group of nations dominated by China and Russia. Swaraj congratulated Pakistan for the membership.
“Furthermore, we must reaffirm that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. It is a crime against the entire humanity,” said Swaraj in her address. “India, therefore, urges all nations to enhance cooperation in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, developing best practices and technologies, mutual legal assistance, extradition arrangements, capacity building amongst other measures, for countering terrorism,” she added.
