by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Seoul : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said here that the time has come for the global community to “come together” and “go beyond words” to act against terrorism, as he expressed his gratitude for South Korea’s support in the wake of the Pulwama attack.
Addressing the media on the second day of his two-day visit after his talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Modi said: “I express my gratitude to President Moon for his condolences on Pulwama attack last week and his support against terror.”
He said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India’s Home Ministry and South Korea’s National Police Agency will further forward the counter-terrorism agenda.
“Time has come for the global community to come together and go beyond words to act against terrorism,” he said.
At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were killed in the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy hit the state in 1989. A Jaish-e-Mohammad operative on February 14 rammed an explosive laden SUV into a CRPF bus on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Pulwama.
Modi said both New Delhi and Seoul are committed to strengthen their mutual and global cooperation to combat terrorism.
He said the defence sector is an important part of the country’s growing partnership with South Korea. “And induction of K-9 Vajra artillery gun in Indian Army ia an example of this friendship.
“To increase cooperation with South Korea in the defence sector, we have agreed to make a roadmap for defence technology and co-production,” he said.
He also welcomed the partnership of South Korean companies in the defence industrial corridors being built.
The bilateral relations between the two nations have reached new heights, he said, adding that the special strategic partnership that New Delhi-Seoul shares is “very significant” even for the world.
Modi is on two-day visit to South Korea. Later in the day, he will be accorded with the Seoul Peace Prize.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Vijaypur (Samba) : Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is now being fought effectively, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
“Our security forces including the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been battling terrorism,” Modi told a public rally in Vijaypur town in Samba district on his arrival here after visiting the Ladakh region.
“I salute martyrs like Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani, Aurangzeb Khan and others,” he added. “Terrorism is now being effectively dealt with in the state.”
Modi said the government was building 14,000 bunkers for the safety of people living along the border with Pakistan to escape frequent firing and shelling by Pakistani forces.
The border residents, he said, led “a tough life”.
Modi also spoke about the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community.
“The Central government is committed to protect the honour and dignity of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers. They have suffered due to terrorism.
“This pain has always been in my heart. The promised 3,000 jobs for the Kashmiri Pandits have been rolled out.
“We are committed to democracy. The 70 per cent voter turnout in the recently held Panchayat elections is a victory for the people and the state administration.”
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi : Terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and climate change are the three critical challenges the world is facing today, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday.
“There was a time when India would talk about terrorism, and it would be treated as a law and order issue on many global platforms,” Sushma Swaraj said while addressing 2019’s Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship annual geopolitical and geostrategic conference, organised by the External Affairs Ministry in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) think tank.
“Today, no country, big or small, is immune from this existential threat, particularly terrorism, actively supported and sponsored by states,” she said.
“In this digital age, the challenge is even greater, with a greater vulnerability to radicalisation.”
Sushma Swaraj recalled that in 1996 India proposed a draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) but lamented it has remained just a draft till today “because we cannot agree on a common definition”.
“Ensuring zero-tolerance towards terrorism, and those who use it as an instrument of convenience, is the need of the hour,” she said.
The second threat, she said, is the threat of proliferation of WMDs.
Thirdly, she said, developing and under-developed nations are the worst victims of climate change, with neither the capacity nor the resources to meet the crisis.
“We have risen to meet the challenge. India, in partnership with France, launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with the participation of 120 countries,” Sushma Swaraj said.
In her address, she also outlined the five elements of India’s global engagement over the last four-and-a-half years.
Firstly, Sushma Swaraj said, India has rebuilt its bridges with its immediate and extended neighbours.
“In particular, Prime Minister’s strategic vision of SAGAR has spurred a qualitative transformation in India’s engagement with the Indian Ocean Region in recent years,” she said.
“Our revitalised Act East and Think West paradigms have further broadened the reach of our strategic and economic neighbourhood.”
Secondly, Sushma Swaraj said, New Delhi is shaping its relationships in a manner that synchronises with India’s economic priorities.
“With this ‘diplomacy for development’ approach, each global interaction is now focussed on building partnerships to promote our transformative flagship programmes such as Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, AMRUT and Namami Gange,” she stated.
“Third, we are focussed on making India a human resource power to be reckoned with by connecting our talented youth to global opportunities.
“This is being achieved through Skill India partnerships with several countries, as well as under the aegis of the GIAN programme and various private sector partnerships under Digital India.”
Fourthly, the External Affairs Minister said, India is building sustainable development partnerships stretching from the Indian Ocean and Pacific Islands to the Caribbean, and from the continent of Africa to the Americas.
“These initiatives have expanded; both in geographical reach and sectoral coverage, and now include Lines of Credit and grants, technical consultancy, educational scholarships and a range of capacity-building programmes,” she said.
Finally, Sushma Swaraj said, India is leading the way in reconfiguring and reinvigorating global institutions and organisations.
“Whether it is by founding the International Solar Alliance, which will benefit our energy security and also combat climate change; or our active role in humanitarian and disaster relief operations in our neighbourhood; or our membership of key institutions of global governance – India is a proactive and constructive contributor to promoting and upholding global peace and security,” she said.
This year’s Raisina Dialogue, which is in its fourth edition, is being attended by over 600 delegates from 92 countries, including influential political leaders, strategic thinkers, policy practitioners, technology innovators, business representatives and academics.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that only refraining from war cannot ensure peace. Instead, there is a need for “united universal cooperation” to combat terrorism, climate change and for economic development and social justice.
Modi made the remarks in his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”, ahead of November 11 – the day when World War I ended a hundred years ago.
Modi said India had no direct connection with the War but it was an important event because Indian soldiers fought bravely and sacrificed their lives.
“The world witnessed a dance of death and devastation during the World War I. Around one crore soldiers and almost the same number of civilians lost their lives. This made the whole world realise and understand the importance of peace.
“The definition of peace has changed in the last hundred years.
“Today, peace does not only mean ‘no war’. There is a need to work unitedly to address issues such as terrorism, climate change, economic development to social justice through universal cooperation and co-ordination. Development of the poorest of the poor is the real indicator of peace,” Modi said.
On climate change, the Prime Minister said people only have to look back at the glorious past and the rich traditions for remedial action and have to understand the lifestyle of the tribal communities who live in consonance and in close coordination with nature.
“The tribal community believes in very peaceful and harmonious co-existence but if somebody tries to harm and cause damage to their natural resources, they do not shy away from fighting for their rights,” he said.
Modi cited the example of Gurbachan Singh, a farmer from Punjab who during the marriage of his son, told the bride’s father to promise him not to burn stubble in their fields.
He mentioned about the farmers of Punjab’s Kallar Majra who are mixing the stubble with the soil by ploughing their fields rather than burning. “A small constructive step plays a vital role in creating a positive environment.”
Modi recalled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contribution in keeping India united and said the nation will pay him tributes on his birth anniversary on October 31 by inaugurating his world’s tallest skyscraping statue.
Lauding the performances of Indian sportspersons in the Asian Para Games and Summer Youth Olympics, he said the country was setting new records not just in the field of sports but also in “uncharted areas” and stressed on the “4S” — spirit, strength, skill and stamina — as key elements in the field of sports as the core foundation of the nation.
Recalling the successful organisation of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017, Modi said India was hosting the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 in Bhubaneswar between November 28 and December 16.
Mentioning about ‘Self 4 Society’ portal which has been launched with a view to motivate employees of IT companies for social activities, Modi said their dedication and vigour can make every Indian feel proud.
The Prime Minister congratulated Sikkim for winning the prestigious Future Policy Gold Award, 2018 for encouraging the sustainable food system and said the northeast region has made grand progress in organic farming.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | World
Washington : The number of deaths and attacks attributed to terrorism significantly decreased in 2017, according to a new report by the US State Department.
“The total number of terrorist attacks worldwide in 2017 decreased by 23 per cent” compared to 2016, while “the total deaths due to terrorist attacks decreased by 27 per cent”, CNN quoted the Department’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Nathan Sales, as saying on Wednesday.
Sales said the “overall trend was largely due to dramatically fewer attacks and deaths in Iraq”, where a US-led military coalition has helped eject the Islamic State (IS) terror group from much of the country.
However, despite these battlefield successes, US officials have warned that the IS was still well positioned to make a comeback in the region.
The report also warned that terror groups were beginning to become more “dispersed and clandestine” and have made themselves “less susceptible to conventional military action”.
While Sales said that some 100 countries experienced terrorism in 2017, the vast majority of those attacks took place in a relatively small number of nations.
“Fifty-nine per cent of all attacks took place in five countries. Those are Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan and the Philippines,” Sales said while adding that “Seventy per cent of all deaths due to terrorist attacks took place” in Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria.
The annual congressionally-mandated report once again labels Iran as the lead state sponsor of terrorism, with Sales saying that Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah has been linked to attacks and weapons stockpiles in Europe and South America, reports CNN.
The report also said that in 2017 Pakistan had not done enough to curb terrorism, saying that Islamabad “did not restrict the Afghan Taliban” and other affiliated terrorist groups like the Haqqani Network “from operating in Pakistan-based safe havens and threatening US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan”.
It said the Pakistani government also “failed to significantly limit” two other terrorist organisations, Lashkar e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, “from openly raising money, recruiting and training in Pakistan”.
—IANS
