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`Double standards` in tackling international terrorism: PM
Bangkok, Oct 09: Regretting the `double standards` of some countries on tackling international terrorism, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said many of them shared India`s perspectives on choking off support to terror but fell short in action due to `immediate political considerations`.
Bangkok, Oct 09: Regretting the "double standards" of some countries on tackling international terrorism, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said many of them shared India's perspectives on choking off support to terror but fell short in action due to "immediate political considerations”.
He also made it clear that there was not so much of danger of an Indo-Pak nuclear conflict than disruption of peace and security by terrorism.
"The effort against terrorism has, therefore, to be global and comprehensive... All democratic countries should join wholeheartedly in it. It is with this conviction that India joined the international coalition against terrorism," he said in an interview to a Thai daily.
Vajpayee also said that New Delhi had been arguing that some of the members of the coalition were themselves part of the problem, an apparent reference to Pakistan being a member of the international grouping against terror. "We cannot overlook this, or apply double standards to terrorist acts depending on where they occur, or who perpetrates them," he said.
"Instead of getting diverted by futile debates on the definition of terrorism or on its root causes, we should focus on choking off all sources of support- sustenance, arms, training or finances for terrorism," Vajpayee said.
He said many nations shared these perspectives but immediate political considerations sometimes discouraged firm and unequivocal actions against some perpetrators or accomplices of terrorism.
"The horrific terrorist acts of 9/11 aroused the consciousness of the world to the global menace of terrorism. They showed that distance and power provide no immunity or security from the depredations of terrorism," he said adding that as a victim for over two decades, India has always proactively supported international efforts in the fight against terrorism.
Asserting that India could not have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan till it stops sponsoring terrorism, Vajpayee said, "The crucial point is that we will not negotiate with terrorism or its sponsors. Until the sponsorship of terrorism from across the border stops, we cannot have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan." Observing that India's nuclear policy is firmly predicted on the principle of no-first-use policy, Vajpayee said, "Our nuclear weapons are meant to deter irresponsible military adventurism, not fight a nuclear war.”
"The danger in South Asia today is not so much of a nuclear war, as of the disruption of peace and security by unabated cross-border terrorism," the Prime Minister, who is on a four-day bilateral visit to Thailand, said.
Contending that there could be no justification for terrorism on any grounds - religious, political, economic, ideological or any other, Vajpayee said democratic societies were the most vulnerable since terrorism exploits the freedom of speech, expression, faith and movement available in these countries.
Asked how he described Indo-Pak relations, the Prime Minister said diplomatic relations had been restored since his April peace initiative to the level of high commissioners. Bureau Report
"The effort against terrorism has, therefore, to be global and comprehensive... All democratic countries should join wholeheartedly in it. It is with this conviction that India joined the international coalition against terrorism," he said in an interview to a Thai daily.
Vajpayee also said that New Delhi had been arguing that some of the members of the coalition were themselves part of the problem, an apparent reference to Pakistan being a member of the international grouping against terror. "We cannot overlook this, or apply double standards to terrorist acts depending on where they occur, or who perpetrates them," he said.
"Instead of getting diverted by futile debates on the definition of terrorism or on its root causes, we should focus on choking off all sources of support- sustenance, arms, training or finances for terrorism," Vajpayee said.
He said many nations shared these perspectives but immediate political considerations sometimes discouraged firm and unequivocal actions against some perpetrators or accomplices of terrorism.
"The horrific terrorist acts of 9/11 aroused the consciousness of the world to the global menace of terrorism. They showed that distance and power provide no immunity or security from the depredations of terrorism," he said adding that as a victim for over two decades, India has always proactively supported international efforts in the fight against terrorism.
Asserting that India could not have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan till it stops sponsoring terrorism, Vajpayee said, "The crucial point is that we will not negotiate with terrorism or its sponsors. Until the sponsorship of terrorism from across the border stops, we cannot have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan." Observing that India's nuclear policy is firmly predicted on the principle of no-first-use policy, Vajpayee said, "Our nuclear weapons are meant to deter irresponsible military adventurism, not fight a nuclear war.”
"The danger in South Asia today is not so much of a nuclear war, as of the disruption of peace and security by unabated cross-border terrorism," the Prime Minister, who is on a four-day bilateral visit to Thailand, said.
Contending that there could be no justification for terrorism on any grounds - religious, political, economic, ideological or any other, Vajpayee said democratic societies were the most vulnerable since terrorism exploits the freedom of speech, expression, faith and movement available in these countries.
Asked how he described Indo-Pak relations, the Prime Minister said diplomatic relations had been restored since his April peace initiative to the level of high commissioners. Bureau Report