'India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with France in the tragedy'

New Delhi, Nov 16: Sharing its pain following the terror attacks in Paris, India today offered to help France in fighting terror and in ensuring that such assaults on humanity do not recur anywhere.

Attending an event at the French Embassy here to mourn the victims of terror attacks in Paris on November 13, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said people of India are no strangers to the pain and suffering inflicted by such senseless acts of violence as the country has been a victim of terror for the last four decades.

"None of this, however, lessens our sense of outrage, grief and shock when they happen and wherever they happen - whether in India or anywhere else in the world.

"We share your pain in this hour of tragedy and stand with you shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to assist the government and the people of France in facing this tragedy and in ensuring that such assaults on humanity do not recur anywhere," he said while addressing the gathering.

Rijiju referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement at the G-20 summit at Turkey that time has come for the world to speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism without any narrow considerations or specious selectivity in distinguishing between terrorist groups.

"We must isolate those who support and sponsor terrorism and stand with those who share our values of humanism. Open democracies and pluralistic societies that value individual freedoms and liberties like ours are increasingly threatened by terror groups," he said.

The Minister said there was a need to significantly step up the cooperation in intelligence and disrupt all forms of support to terror groups, who are a common threat to the cherished values and to humanity itself.

"We also need to urgently put in place a comprehensive global strategy to combat terrorism including a suitable international legal framework to deal with the growing threat. This is what India has been calling for, since several years," he said.

Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home, said India shares special ties with France and her people. France has been India's long standing strategic partner and an all weather friend. India greatly cherishes and values this close and enduring partnership.

"On behalf of the government of India and people of India, I convey my heartfelt condolences and prayers for the victims and their families and pray for the strength and the courage to overcome this tragedy.

"I also reaffirm our resolute support to the Government of France and our brothers and sisters in France as they emerge courageously from this crisis, stronger and more resolute than ever, in combating the common enemies of humanity. Our prayers and thoughts today are with the families of the innocent victims who were prey to the dastardly acts of terrorism," he said.

PTI