Krishna for 'zero tolerance' to terrorism from NAM

India asked NAM nations to adopt a "zero tolerance" approach to terrorism while strongly pitching for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and global financial institutions to ensure greater say for developing countries.

In his intervention during a debate at the ministerial meeting of the 120-nation bloc, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna also expressed deep concern at the situation in Syria and stressed that further militarisation of the conflict needs to be avoided.

Krishna, speaking on the topic 'Lasting peace through joint global governance', also sought a more active and advocacy role for the Non Alignment Movement in achieving universal nuclear disarmament.

Speaking about terrorism, he said it is the biggest scourge of our times targeting the socio-economic fabric of our pluralistic societies.

"We need to raise the fight against terrorism to a higher level. There should be zero tolerance towards terrorism. It is high time that we demonstrate the necessary political will and agree on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations," Krishna said addressing the foreign ministers of the NAM countries.

He underlined that NAM needed approaches which are inclusive, transparent and firmly anchored in multilateralism to navigate challenges. He said the United Nations stands best placed to play a central role in this regard.

"We need to redouble our efforts towards a more democratic, equitable, and legitimised international architecture that reflects contemporary realities," he said.

Further pitching for reforms at the UN Security Council, Krishna said until comprehensive reform of the UNSC is undertaken, the overall reform of the UN can only be regarded as "piecemeal and incomplete".