India calls for quick action against sponsors of terrorism

Vice President Hamid Ansari, at the ongoing Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), called for international cooperation against terrorism after the deadly Nice truck attack in France

Ulaanbaatar: India today pressed the international community to work together to erase the scourge of terrorism by taking speedy action against the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism in the wake of a deadly truck attack in France that killed 80 people.

Addressing the plenary session of the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit here in the Mongolian capital, Vice President Hamid Ansari said, "All our societies today face unprecedented levels of threat from terrorism in all its manifestations. The most recent example is what has happened, most unfortunately in France."

"We need to cooperate meaningfully to deal with this threat. Let us pledge today to work together to erase the scourge of terrorism by taking speedy action against the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terror," Ansari said.

Earlier today, a truck ploughed into a crowd in the French city of Nice, killing at least 80 people in what President Francois Hollande called a "terrorist" attack on revellers watching a Bastille Day fireworks display.

The ASEM summit, attended by a number of European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council Donald Tusk, observed a minute of silence to mourn the death of innocent people in the French city.

Ansari said the "Early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the aegis of the UN is an imperative today. I urge ASEM support for it."

The Vice President also called for collaboration to protect "Our global commons such as the seas and oceans in accordance with international conventions".

"Let us resolve disputes peacefully, without threats or use of force, and exercise self restraint in the conduct of activities that could escalate disputes effecting peace and stability.

As a State Party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans," Ansari said, days after a UN-backed tribunal struck down China's claims of "historical rights" in the disputed South China Sea on a case brought by the Philippines.

Besides the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan challenged China's claims.

Among those present at the summit was Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

The Vice President noted that the ASEM today marks two decades of multilateralism between Asia and Europe.