India calls for quick action against sponsors of terrorism
Ulaanbaatar, July 15: India pressed the international community to work together to erase the scourge of terrorism by taking speedy action against the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism in the wake of a deadly truck attack in France that killed 80 people.
Addressing
the
plenary
session
of
the
11th
Asia-Europe
Meeting
Summit
here
in
the
Mongolian
capital,
Vice
President
Hamid
Ansari
said,
"all
our
societies
today
face
unprecedented
levels
of
threat
from
terrorism
in
all
its
manifestations.
The
most
recent
example
is
what
has
happened,
most
unfortunately
in
France."
"We need to cooperate meaningfully to deal with this threat. Let us pledge today to work together to erase the scourge of terrorism by taking speedy action against the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror," Ansari said.
Earlier today, a truck ploughed into a crowd in the French city of Nice, killing at least 80 people in what President Francois Hollande called a "terrorist" attack on revellers watching a Bastille Day fireworks display.
The ASEM summit, attended by a number of European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council Donald Tusk, observed a minute of silence to mourn the death of innocent people in the French city.
Ansari said the "early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the aegis of the UN is an imperative today. I urge ASEM support for it."
The Vice President also called for collaboration to protect "our global commons such as the seas and oceans in accordance with international conventions".
"Let us resolve disputes peacefully, without threats or use of force, and exercise self restraint in the conduct of activities that could escalate disputes effecting peace and stability."
As a State Party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans," Ansari said, days after a UN-backed tribunal struck down Chinas claims of "historical rights" in the disputed South China Sea on a case brought by the Philippines.
Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan challenged Chinas claims.Among those present at the summit was Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
PTI