India to back all anti-terror initiatives: V K Singh

Mumbai, Sep 11: India on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to stamping out global terrorism and said it will support any initiative aimed at eliminating the menace.

"India provides support in all fora for anything which is termed as anti-terrorist activity. It (always) supports the cause of anti-terrorism," Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) V K Singh told reporters.

Singh was responding to a question whether India will extend support to the US in the war against ISIS, which has captured vast swathes in Iraq and Syria, murdering and capturing thousands, including women and children.

The minister's statement came on the day US President Barack Obama vowed to "degrade and ultimately destroy" the Islamic State and declared to launch a systematic campaign of airstrikes against it.

"I am quite sure that if the US wants support in the UN General Assembly against anti-terror activities, it will get the support of most of the world," Singh said.

To another question on Liberal Democrat MP David Ward securing a debate in the UK Parliament on the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh sarcastically said, "such issues should be raised only by those countries whose hands are clean."

The debate to be held today is being seen by the Indian community as an attempt to engage in India bashing. Singh, also Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region, said the economic growth of the country has picked up pace after the new government took over at the Centre.

"Factors such as government's initiative, tax regime being re-looked and improvement in manufacturing sector are contributing to the country's growth," he said.

PTI