Terrorism is undeniably mother of all disruptions says Sushma Swaraj in #RaisinaDialogue

NewsBharati    17-Jan-2018
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New Delhi, January 17: Terrorism is undeniably the mother of all disruptions today. This was said by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj taking a tough stand on terrorism while speaking at the geo-political conference, Raisina Dialogue, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

 

Minister Sushma Swaraj while asserting that the challenge of terrorism has become even more serious in the digital age with a greater propensity to radicalization said, “Terrorism is undeniably the mother of all disruptions today. Our attitude towards terrorism has evolved in the last few decades."

The External Affairs Minister also asserted that terrorism was once seen as other's problem or a law and order situation and was also used as an instrument of statecraft but that time is now long gone as now each and every country realized that it is a matter of global concern. "We are all now clear that terrorism anywhere can threaten societies anywhere," highlighted the minister, adding that "after 9/11 attack, we associate terrorism with ungoverned spaces."

Taking a step forward while delivering the plenary address at this year's Raisina Dialogue, Minister Sushma said it is important that the world today debate and clarify the practices and ethos which underwrites the international order. "This makes it all the more important that the world today debate and clarify the practices and ethos which underwrites the international order," the External Affairs Minister added.

Further referring to the example of the Islamic State terror organization as having reinforced this stereotype, Minister Sushma said, "While not without basis, what is even more dangerous is terrorism from governed spaces, in fact, terrorism actively supported and sponsored by states. To expect that an activity which draws on all the ills of the world fanaticism, crime, bloodshed and illegal trade will not have a corrosive impact beyond its intended arena is unrealistic."

Citing the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), Minister Sushma Swaraj said "The fact that proliferation threats are encouraged in large measure by arguments that favour the actual use of WMDs, especially nuclear weapons cannot be ignored. I am glad that there is also a session devoted to nuclear unpredictability."

"Like terrorism, nuclear proliferation cannot be addressed effectively in a segmented manner. Fuller disclosure and greater accountability are a must," Minister Sushma stated. Stating that the building of connectivity is a consultative process, Minister Sushma said that it should be based on norms of transparency, good governance, commercial viability, fiscal responsibility and "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity", which is an obvious reference to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"New lines of connectivity must certainly be treated as positively disruptive when they accord with such practices," she said. Minister Swaraj concluded by saying that the message is particularly to those who feel that terrorism can be an instrument of convenience.

Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation think tank. The theme of this year's Raisina Dialogue is "Managing Disruptive Tendencies: Ideas, Institutions and Idioms".

The 3rd edition of the geo-political conference, ‘Raisina Dialogue’ was opened by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday stressing on the need to develop the economic, military and political power to emerge as a strong nation.