Terrorism, radicalisation are serious threats to societies: Sitharaman

Emphasising on the global security situation, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India has taken "resolute measures" to fight the menace of terrorism.

Speaking at the ASEAN defence ministers' meeting in Philippines, Sitharaman said, "Terrorism and radicalization pose one of the most immediate and serious security challenges to our societies."

She said that global security situation is constantly evolving and has thrown up serious challenges.

"New developments in Cyberspace have expanded threat, as these are exploited by terrorists to develop ways of manipulating minds...India has taken resolute measures to fight the scourge of terrorism from across its borders," she added.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defence Ministers' Meeting in the Philippines began today and will end on October 25.

Sitharaman is also likely to meet US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on the sidelines of the meeting.

This would be the first meeting between the two leaders after Mattis' successful trip to India last month. Mattis had said the ASEAN defence ministers' meeting will be an opportunity to recognise ASEAN for 50 years of promoting peace and stability in the region.

ASEAN, Mattis had said, provides an international forum, giving voice to those who want relations between states to be based on respect, not on predatory economics or on the size of militaries, in an apparent reference to China.

OneIndia News