Terrorism from India`s neighbourhood major security threat: President

Amman: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday made a veiled reference to Pakistan when he said terrorism emanating from "our neighbourhood" remains a major security threat to India and that addressing this challenge should be a major priority of the international community.

He also said that adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which has been pending for decades, would serve the cause of humanity by prohibiting States from facilitating or allowing their territories to be used for terrorist acts.

"Terrorism emanating from our neighbourhood remains a major security threat to us. We believe that addressing this challenge should be a major priority of the international community. India believes that countries adopting a policy of selectiveness in identifying and dealing with terrorists-- especially those who allow these forces to thrive on their territories--will eventually be endangered by very same actors," he said in his address at the University of Jordan after he was conferred a honorary doctorate.

The President did not take Pakistan's name but his references to India's neighbourhood and other remarks made it obvious as to who he was referring to.

He said India has and will remain committed to peaceful recourse in the external as well as internal policies.

"Instability in our neighbourhood can threaten our security and slow down our progress. At a time when the entire world is affected by the scourge of terrorism, it is important to recognise that India has been preoccupied with this menace for over four decades," he said.

Mukherjee recalled that India condemned the brutal killing of the Jordanian pilot, Muath al-Kasasb eh and commended Jordan's efforts in confronting the menace of terrorism and participation in regional and international efforts in this direction.

"India has been actively working for strengthening the international regime against terrorism. "We seek full and universal compliance, by all countries, with the counter- terrorism measures initiated under the aegis of the UN, particularly the UNSC Resolution 1373 (2011) and UN Global Counter-Terrorism (GCTS) adopted in 2006.

"India would like to see a collective effort by all the member states of the UN for the early conclusion and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. It has been pending for over a decade. This comprehensive Convention would serve the cause of humanity by prohibiting states from facilitating or allowing their territories to be used for terrorist acts," he said.

The President said it would enable States to cooperate in suppressing terrorism and in punishing the perpetrators, abettors, financiers, facilitators and collaborators of terrorism.