To Counter Pak, India Goes Big To Give Fight Against Terror 'Legal Teeth'

As India builds up momentum for its strategy to isolate Pakistan internationally by raising the issue of terrorism after the Uri attack, a key strike is one the country has been building up for years.
In Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's address to the UN on Monday, India's aim will be a push towards a stronger consensus to combat terrorism in the form of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism or CCIT.

"Terrorism is undoubtedly the single-biggest threat to international peace and security," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup told on Friday. The convention would give "legal teeth to prosecuting terrorist acts", he said.

Launched in 1996 by India, the initiative has seen "a lot of progress" and there was a wide consensus except for who should be excluded from the definition of terrorism, Mr Swarup said.

To forge that last mile of consensus, India is considering all options, including "voting", the country's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin told reporters.
 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said there was wide support for CCIT.

The Indian envoy added that India is confident that there is a large majority in support for the convention.

Though he did not elaborate on elements of Ms Swaraj's address, Mr Swarup said "you can expect a continued focus from India on the theme of terrorism which is today undoubtedly the single biggest challenge to international peace and security."

Ms Swaraj is expected to give a stinging response to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in which he focused elaborately on Kashmir.

Mr Akbaruddin said that in the meetings that Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar held on the sidelines of the General Assembly session, "there was resonance" of India being a victim of terrorism and solidarity with it.

Mr Akbaruddin said a reform of the Security Council will also be the focus of India in the current UN General Assembly session.

"This is an on-going effort. That effort is plugged into our greater approach of having a resurgent India on the global platform," he said.


Source: NDTV