26/11 terror attack conspirators still safe': Jaishankar at UNSC meeting

 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks at the Special Meeting of the Anti-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace

• Jaishankar urged the members of the UNSC that the fight against terrorism must be fought resolutely on all fronts, in all situations and everywhere.

Taking a jibe at China and Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said the key conspirators of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks are still "protected and unpublished".

Speaking at the special meeting of the UNSC's Anti-Terrorism Committee on 'Combating the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes', the Minister said that when it comes to sanctioning terrorists, the UNSC is able to act in certain cases" regrettable". Because of "political considerations". This he said in an apparent swipe at China, which has on several occasions withheld UNSC approval of Pakistan-based terrorists.

Further, Jaishankar urged the members of the UNSC that the fight against terrorism must be fought resolutely on all fronts, in all situations and everywhere.

"While a terrorist (Ajmal Kasab) has been caught alive, prosecuted and convicted by the Supreme Court of India, the prime conspirators and planners of the 26/11 terror attacks remain safe and unharmed," Jaishankar said. He said it was an attack not only on Mumbai but on the international community. Paying respects to the victims of the 26/11 terror attack, he said without naming Pakistan, "In fact, this entire city was taken hostage by terrorists who entered from across the border."

He said 140 Indian citizens and 26 civilians from 23 countries lost their lives in the attacks. Jaishankar, Gabonese Foreign Minister and UNSC President Michael Moussa-Adamo among others paid their respects to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks on the occasion. In a recorded message, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that his country lost six of its civilians during the 26/11 terror attacks and it stands in solidarity with India and all those countries who died that day. People were lost.

"We have a responsibility towards the victims and people everywhere to bring justice to the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks and their perpetrators," he said. The US has been working closely with India and other partners for 14 years because while we do not allow the perpetrators of these attacks to be punished, we send a message to terrorists everywhere that their heinousness will be tolerated."

He said that many members of the Security Council, including the United States, have adopted sanctions against the terrorists behind these attacks. “But efforts are more effective when we work together. This is why we work with India to designate a number of terrorists to the UN 1267 Committee. All parties concerned must endorse these designations. No nation should stand in their way," he said in a clear reference to China.

The Minister said that international cooperation and concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors, including terrorist safe havens, sanctuaries, training grounds and financial, ideological as well as political support structures, are critical to defeating this crisis.

He said the nexus of terrorism with international organized crime, smuggling of illegal drugs and weapons is well established and it is important to recognize these links and strengthen multilateral efforts to break them.