'Collective international effort' is need of the hour to tackle terrorism menace: India at UN

Akbaruddin also said that the Office of Counter Terrorism is a long pending first step in a series of things that are still to be taken to face the challenges the world is facing.

Asserting that Office of Counter Terrorism(OCT) will bring a sense of urgency to the UN's approach towards terrorism, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin has called for a "collective international effort" in this regard.

Speaking at the 15th meeting of the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism Advisory Board, Akbaruddin said that there is no way around other than global cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism.

"India, with its experience of countering terrorism over the past several decades, is aware of the nature of the menace that terrorism, with its supporting eco-systems poses and the necessity of collective international effort required to counter it. There is no way around a stronger international response to this threat," he said.

"In this regard, increasing the regular budget component in assisting the functioning of the UN's Counter Terrorism activities is inescapable , now or later. It will need to be considered with seriousness. This is inescapable, otherwise, we risk turning the UN's Counter Terrorism efforts into those of a trauma centre, rather than of an institution acting with forethought and foresight," he added.

Akbaruddin also said that the Office of Counter Terrorism is a long pending first step in a series of things that are still to be taken to face the challenges the world is facing.

"For the UNCCT to make a mark, we need to be ready to think big, think long-term and adjust the course whenever required. Strengthening of the UN system and our collective response to the threat posed by terrorists must remain a priority. Unfortunately, this approach seems yet to permeate our actions," he said.

OneIndia News