India calls on United Nations for joint fight against terrorism

United Nations, Jan 17: Underlining that terrorism's darkening shadow has been spreading across the globe, India has called on the UN to rise above the differences of its members and adopt an international convention to combat the menace.

"We think it is time to have a closer look at what we can do more and do better together to build global norms to counter the common threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism," new Indian Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said at an informal plenary session of the UN General Assembly to discuss priorities for 2016.

"The darkening shadow of terrorism has been spreading its menacing influence across the globe. Every day we are faced with distressing reminders to governments, societies and individuals of the threat held out by terrorists," he said on Thursday.

Posing a series of questions to the international community, Mr Akbaruddin asked if the members of the UN General Assembly are content to remain silent by standers.

"Is it not time that we show a common resolve to rise above our semantic definitional differences and work on the long overdue Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism? Or are we condemned to allow each society or each Government to battle on its own?" he asked.

"If so, can we remain relevant to those who are affected by this scourge?" Mr Akbaruddin asked.

The top Indian diplomat here said peacekeeping has proved to be an effective tool available to the UN to assist host countries navigate through the difficult path from conflict to peace.

"India is proud to be a leading troop contributor. We will contribute positively in all the deliberations related to peacekeeping," he said.

PTI