Baku, October 27 (PTI): Terming Pakistan as the ‘contemporary epicentre’ of terrorism, India on Saturday said Islamabad must decisively ‘abjure terrorism’ for its own and the world’s good.
Speaking at the 18th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) here, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said: “On the subject of terrorism, our thoughts naturally go to its contemporary epicentre — Pakistan.”
Naidu also took on Pakistan President Arif Alvi for misusing the forum “to justify once again its long-standing policy of conducting cross border terrorism.”
“We regret that earlier today afternoon, this august forum was misused to justify once again its long-standing policy of conducting cross border terrorism against its neighbours including Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. Indeed, we speak for the larger region in terms of this deep concern over Pakistan’s behavior,” said Naidu.
“All of us in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is focused on meeting our developmental goals and aspirations. Pakistan clearly needs to do much more to earn the confidence of the international community. It must decisively abjure terrorism — for its own good, for that of its neighbours and for the good of the world,” he added.
Naidu called terrorism as a single most destructive threat which continues to expand its “tentacles with increasing impunity.”
“The only way to fight this menace is to strengthen and implement, without exception, all existing international laws and mechanism to combat terrorists and their enablers,” he said.
“No justification whatsoever can be accepted for violent extremist ideologies and terrorist actions that maim and murder innocents, disrupt the very fabric of our societies and stall developmental efforts,” added Naidu.
The theme of the summit was “Upholding Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world.”
The Vice President has urged the NAM to re-focus to remain an influential grouping and find solutions to challenges relating to terrorism, global governance reform, sustainable development, and south-south cooperation.
He called upon all NAM countries to come together to forge a common front against terror in all its forms as there was no justification for violent extremist ideologies and terrorist actions that maim and murder innocents.
The Vice President said that the interdependent world today was faced with serious challenges.
“Globalisation and unprecedented technological advances are shaping the 21st century in unpredictable and often disruptive ways,” he said.
“As we all strive to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth and a better future for our peoples, we must realise that our destinies are linked like never before,” added he.
Imran Against Terror Attacks In Kashmir
Meanwhile, according to The Express Tribune, Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated Pakistan’s all-out support to Kashmiris and urged the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) not to engage in the armed struggle against the Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan territory.
“Some elements in AJK are instigating Jihad and armed struggle against the Indian forces which will be a great damage to the Kashmir cause, and is against the interest of Pakistan as well,” said the premier in a short video message broadcast live on the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) on Sunday evening.
His message comes as Pakistanis and Kashmiris around the world and on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) are observing a ‘Black Day’ to mark 72 years since India forcibly and illegally took over the disputed Himalayan territory.
PM Imran said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted a Pulwama-like incident in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) to justify atrocities against the suppressed people and divert the world’s attention to terrorism.
“The Narendra Modi-led government wants a Pulawama-like incident in the valley to divert the world’s attention from Kashmiris sufferings by accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism,” the premier said.
Pakistan stops Modi from using airspace for Saudi Arabia visit
“Some 900,000 Indian troops have been deployed in Kashmir not due to the security concerns but to suppress the rights of Kashmiris so that they give up their fundamental demand of right to self-determination,” he added.
The premier vowed that Pakistan would go to any length to support the cause of Kashmiris – diplomatically and politically. “Today, I assure that the entire nation is standing by you [Kashmiris in IOK] and Pakistan will go to any length to help them achieve their right to self-determination.”
“Narendra Modi claims that the situation of Occupied Kashmir has been normalised then why doesn’t he hold referendum there,” Premier Imran dare his Indian counterpart, adding that India’s ruling party BJP faced a bitter defeat in the recently held local body elections despite all the political parties of IOK boycotted the elections.
‘Black Day’: Foreign diplomats denounce India’s brutalities in occupied Kashmir
On August 5, India had stripped Occupied Kashmir of the special autonomy it had for seven decades through a rushed presidential order.
By repealing Article 370 of the constitution, people from the rest of India can now have the right to acquire property in the disputed valley and settle there permanently.
Kashmiris see the move as an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.
Pakistan had strongly condemned the move and vowed to “exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps” taken by the Modi government.
(The featured image at the top shows Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar at NAM in Baku)
