Terrorism should be dealt in comprehensive manner: Vice President Ansari

By Amit Shankar Bamako [Mali], Sept. 30 (ANI): Holding the scourge of terrorism as impediment to development regionally and globally Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Friday said terrorist actions cannot be justified on any grounds, and India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and is of view that international and cross-border terrorism should be dealt in a comprehensive manner. Noting that the spreading tide of extremism and terrorism is a threat that both India and Mali face, Vice President Ansari said, "We feel that with a view to strengthening international normative regime on terrorism, an early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) is essential." Welcoming the signing of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, the Vice President hope that it would lead to unity, preservation of territorial integrity, lasting peace, development and prosperity. "My Government appreciates the wisdom of Malian leadership that facilitated the signing of the Agreement. In India, we believe that political issues should be resolved through 'Ballot' and not 'Bullet'. We encourage all stakeholders to eschew violence and to embrace peaceful and democratic means to resolve political issues," he added. Addressing the Malian National Assembly, the Vice President noted as the world becomes more globalised and inter-connected, the salience of global cross-cutting issues is rising. "These issues cannot be resolved by a handful of powerful countries or even through regional efforts. They include issues such as Climate Change but also global public health challenges, drug-trafficking, trafficking of humans, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism. There are newer domains of cyber security and space security," he added. Hailing the adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Vice President Ansari said India is committed to effective implementation of the agreement-based on equity and principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. "India had launched a major initiative of International Solar Alliance to bring together on single platform countries of the world blessed with abundant solar power. We are thankful to Republic of Mali for joining the International Solar Alliance," he said. Stating that active participation of large and populous countries like India and those in Africa becomes indispensable in resolving such global issues, he added, "That is why India advocates reforms in global political, economic and security institutions. They must become more democratic, inclusive and representative of our world. Unfortunately, few institutions have that character today. Many do not yet give voice to Africa or the world's largest democracy, constituting one-sixth of humanity." Vice President Ansari on Thursday arrived in Mali on a two-day visit after his successful trip to Nigeria. Malian Prime Minister Modibo Keita received and welcomed the Vice President at Bamako's Modibo Keita International Airport here. Vice President Ansari, accompanied by his wife Salma Ansari, is visiting Mali at the invitation of Prime Minister Keita. Vice President Ansari is also accompanied by Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal and a four Members of Parliament, senior officials and media. (ANI)