SIXTH COMMITTEE OF THE 75^th SESSION OF THE

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ON

AGENDA ITEM 114

“MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM” 

STATEMENT BY

MR. YEDLA UMASANKAR

FIRST SECRETARY/LEGAL ADVISER

6 OCTOBER 2020

Mr. Chairman, 

My Delegation congratulates you and the members of the Bureau on your election. I take this opportunity to assure you of our support during the proceedings. 

2. We thank the Secretary General for his Report in document A/75/176 dated 17 July 2020 entitled “Measures to eliminate International Terrorism” containing important and valuable information provided by the Governments as well as International Organizations about the measures taken by them towards prevention and suppression of international terrorism. 

 3.     Terrorism is, undoubtedly, the most potent threat to global peace and security. With advancement in technology and an over flowing Cyber world, terrorists are gaining access to infinite resources of “DO IT YOURSELF”  Kits on issues ranging from making bombs to executing, beheadings besides securing communications and flow of funds. The proponents and perpetrators of these nefarious acts cleverly adopt emerging technologies for furthering their ideologies and accomplishing their evil acts. 

4.   India has been and continues to be a victim of terrorism sponsored across our borders. We have had firsthand experience of the cruel link between transnational organized crime and terrorism. India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and no cause whatsoever or grievance can justify terrorism, including State-sponsored cross-border terrorism. 

5.   India believes that the only effective way to tackle terrorism is by way of concerted international cooperation and genuine collaboration among the States.  Combined international efforts by way of extradition, prosecution, information exchange and capacity building go a long way in countering the menace of terrorism which is threatening the global community.

Mr. Chairman,

6.  The fight against terrorism has to be unrelenting and across all fronts. The flow of resources to terror linked entities needs to be completely stopped by collective inter-state efforts. The international community cannot and should not be selective in dealing with the terrorists groups or in dismantling terror infrastructure. India strongly condemns direct or indirect financial assistance provided by some States to terrorist groups and/or individuals members thereof. 

7. We believe that our fight against terrorism should not only seek to eliminate terrorists and disrupt terror organizations/networks but should also identify/hold accountable and take strong measures against States that encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups. 

8.   India stands committed in all efforts to counter terrorism by exchanging information, capacity building for effective border controls, preventing misuse of modern technologies, monitoring and curbing illicit financial flows and cooperating in investigation and judicial procedures. Collective inter-State efforts are required at regional and sub-regional levels. 

9. Normative efforts at the United Nations need to be coordinated through collaboration with other fora like Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is playing significant role in setting global standards for preventing and combating money laundering and terrorists financing.

10 We strongly believe that terrorism can be countered by sustained international efforts and that the UN may be best suited for taking forward effective global efforts preventing and countering terrorism. We fully support the leadership provided by UN Office of Counter Terrorism at UN. India also contributing to the UN Counter Terrorism Trust fund for implementation of various priority projects in effectively preventing and countering terrorism. However, the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) being discussed by the UN General Assembly over the last decade has resulted in little impact on the ground. 

Mr. Chairman, 

11.    We have come a long way from the dawn of the United Nations in the 20^th Century to the present, the 21^st. It’s high time the United Nations revive its energy to play an even greater role in the maintenance of international peace and security.

12. Recently, our Prime Minister Modi in his address to the 75^th UNGA debate, in reference to the last 75 years of the United Nations, has observed “One could say that we have successfully avoided a third world war, but we cannot deny that there have been several wars and many civil wars. Several terrorist attacks shook the world and there has been bloodshed.” Further, our Prime Minister Modi has made his message very clear in the very same session, quote “India will not hesitate in raising its voice against the enemies of humanity, human race and human values (including) terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money laundering.” 

13. We believe that UN Security Council continues to be an effective forum for the maintenance of international peace and security and combating terrorism. However, it should also be ensured that the forum is not misused by countries with retaliatory intent to name innocent civilians as terrorist without credible evidence by invoking non-transparent working methods and procedures 

Mr. Chairman, 

14. While making every effort to combat terrorism, the United Nations Organization and its member states should also consider the rights of victims of terrorism and obligation of States towards the victims of terrorism under international law. It is important to note that a vast majority of victims of terrorism are often women and children. It’s high time for us to try and strengthen efforts to achieve the objective of putting in place a global legal framework in the form of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to counter a global scourge. This will provide a legal basis for global fight against terrorism as all Member States will have a multilateral platform to counter terrorism.

15. Further, we all need to work together to expose and destroy the linkages that exist between terrorists and their supporters. We need an international mechanism to ensure accountability and justice, enhanced dialogue and broaden understanding amongst Member States. While the threat emanating from international terrorism is looming large, the inability of the United Nations to agree on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism remains one of the most glaring shortcomings in the international legislative framework which could have boosted enforcement efforts to destroy safe havens of terrorists, their financial flows and their support networks. 

16. India wishes to highlight the importance and need for early finalization and conclusion of the Draft CCIT which will reflect our commitment to cooperate in combating terrorism. We all have to realize the gravity and move forward for adopting the draft text of CCIT which is a balanced one and has emerged after long discussions.

17.       India strongly supports GA Resolution 74/194 of 18 December 2019 which in para 25 recommends to Sixth Committee to establish the “Working Group with a view to finalize the process on the Draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism”.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you.

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