Taking a tough stand on the scourge of terrorism, India has said nations who defend terrorists in the United Nations (UN) neither advance their own interests nor their reputation. These observations were apparently aimed at China and Pakistan though External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar refrained from naming them in his address late on Saturday in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).He said no rhetoric, however sanctimonious, can ever cover up blood stains and asserted those who politicise the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes even to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril.
“Having borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism for decades, India firmly advocates a ‘zero- tolerance approach. In our view, there is no justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivation,” he said.
“The UN responds to terrorism by sanctioning its perpetrators. Those who politicise the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes even to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril. Believe me, they advance neither their own interests nor indeed their reputation,” he said.