There are 'no good terrorists and bad terrorists': Anand Sharma

United Nations, Jul 11: Asserting that there are no good and bad terrorists, a senior Indian leader has expressed grave concern over the roots of terrorism that are spread in India's extended neighbourhood, including the Middle-East, and called for a uniform approach in the fight against the menace.

Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said that India continues to suffer from the scourge of terrorism and expressed grave concern on its roots that are spread "into the extended neighborhood of India, including the Middle-East," according to a statement issued by the Indian Mission to the UN here.

Citing the violent and barbaric acts committed by the ISIS, Sharma said terrorist forces do not represent any religion since no religion gives sanction to commit heinous crimes and to take away the right to life and liberty.

Speaking at the Council Meeting of the Socialist International United Nations on July 6, he warned of the continued presence of ISIS in the Middle East and added that there are "no good terrorist and bad terrorists."

He urged for a uniform approach in the fight against terrorism and added that other issues of global concern including eradication of poverty, education for all, universal health, sustainable development, world peace can be addressed only when the scourge of terrorism is rooted out as stability and peace are an essential prerequisite to development.

In his keynote address to the conference, Sharma urged the Socialist International and the UN to join hands to fight and defeat the forces of terrorism, which threatened the right to life, liberty and peaceful existence.

He urged that the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism treaty be adopted soon. He also recognised the importance of youth and its role in nation building, pointing out the potential of the Indian youth to contribute in the growth and development of the country.

At the end of the two-day conference, four declarations were adopted on on security and fight against terror, the Palestinian question, climate change and sustainable development goals.

PTI