Fight against terror must target sponsors, supporters: SM Krishna

Seeking enhanced global cooperation against terrorism, India has said the fight against "one of the greatest scourges" of the modern times should ensure that not only terrorists but those who sponsor, abet or support them are also targeted.

"Terrorism is one of the greatest scourges of our times," external affairs minister SM Krishna said at a coordinating bureau ministerial meeting of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) on the margins of the UN General Assembly session in New York yesterday.

He said the NAM cannot afford to equivocate on this vital issue and must be at the forefront of combating the menace.

"The movement should ensure that terrorism is not condoned or justified on any ground whatsoever: political, religious, ethnic or any other. The fight against terrorism must be directed not only against the terrorists, but also against those who sponsor, abet or support them," the minister said.

He said it needs to be ensured that the international cooperation against terrorism is enhanced and gaps in the legal framework are plugged.

"This requires that the negotiations on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN, which have been going on for over a decade, are finalised and the convention is concluded at the earliest," Krishna said.

Turning to other serious issues, he said the "central challenges of our times relate to management of global economy and finance, securing stable food and energy supplies, poverty alleviation, eradicating hunger and deprivation, tackling pandemics, raising literacy levels and coping up with climate change."

Equally serious challenges are posed by drug-traffickers and organised crime syndicates and other challenges to international peace and security, he said.

Besides, Krishna sought reinvigorated efforts towards a more democratic, equitable and legitimised international architecture that reflects the contemporary realities.

"The world's international institutions, in particular, the UN and its Security Council and the Bretton Woods Institutions require fundamental changes which only developing countries can promote. The continuing democracy deficit in the UN, the parliament of nations, is unsustainable.

"Genuine reform is essential, in particular of the Security Council. It must encompass expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership and improvement of its working methods," Krishna said.