India urges UN to adopt anti-terror Convention

India on Wednesday said the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism would provide a legal base for a fight against the global scourge, noting that the United Nations' global counter-terrorism strategy would be incomplete without such a convention.

In an address to the ongoing 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan termed terrorism as a "scourge of humanity" and a global problem that has spared no country or region in the world be it "New York, London, Abuja or Mumbai."

"India believes that adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism would provide a solid legal basis for the fight against terrorism. In our view , the UN global counter-terrorism strategy is incomplete in the absence of such a comprehensive convention," Khan said.

Separately, in his remarks at an UNGA session on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism', Member of Parliament Moinul Hassan Ahamed said, "Terrorism endangers the very foundations of the continued existence of democratic societies."

Ahamed said terrorists have become globalised; recruiting in one country, raising funds in another and operating in others. They have developed global logistical supply chains and transnational financial support systems, he said.

Echoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's stance that there can be no selective approach to the fight against terrorism, Ahamed said terrorism has to be fought across all fronts.

Nations are also obliged to ensure that their territories are not used for terrorist establishments, training camps or as launch pads for terror acts against other states, he said.

Ahamed said India fully supports the outcome document adopted by the Special Meeting of the Counter Terrorism Committee of the Security Council.

"We fully endorse the two consensus benchmarks that have been reflected in the outcome document that -- the international community supports zero tolerance towards terrorism, and no cause or grievance, whatsoever, can justify terrorism," he said.

Ahamed said the international community should focus on further strengthening the anti-terrorism framework.

Pointing out that the CCIT is at an advance stage of its consideration, he urged all States to ensure that it is concluded during the current UN session.

Meanwhile, in his address Khan, referring to Security Council reforms, urged Chair of the intergovernmental negotiations Ambassador Zahir Tannin to immediately convene an informal plenary meeting to discuss the long overdue reforms.

On peacekeeping operations, Khan said that as one of the largest troop and resource contributors, India is acutely conscious of the "dramatic changes" in peacekeeping operations.

"We remain supportive of all efforts to strengthen the capacity of peacekeepers in increasingly difficult and complex situations by taking into account changed realities."

He said India is conscious that peacekeeping cannot be a substitute for nation building.

Referring to the issue of nuclear safety, Khan said India attaches highest priority to the goal of universal disarmament.

"We further welcome the attention given to the issue of nuclear safety and security. We support international efforts under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency to enhance levels of safety and security," he added.