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We won’t allow terrorism to destabilise us: Manmohan

— Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Suriname Vice-President Ramdien Sardjoe (left) at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: India will “continue to work with the international community to ensure that there are no safe havens and launching pads for terrorists,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday.

Inaugurating the seventh edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here, Dr. Singh said the recent attacks in Mumbai were a grim reminder of the grave threat posed by extremism and terrorism to India’s pluralistic and liberal traditions. “There are many who would not like to see India succeed. But we have shown, over and over again, that we will not allow the forces of terrorism and extremism to destabilise our polity, our economy and our society,” he said.

Leaders who spoke at the inaugural and subsequent sessions of the PBD made it a point to refer to the Mumbai strikes and send a strong message that India will not be cowed down by such attacks.

Suriname Vice-President Ramdien Sardjoe pledged his country’s support on global fora to curb terrorism and said it would support India in any initiative on this count.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was the chief guest at the first plenary, described the attacks as “the singular unique terrorist strike since 9/11” and said that they stood out as unique in the nature of operation. The lone terrorist in custody told his interrogators “where he came from and who his handlers were.” The reaction from Islamabad was “unfortunately … flip flop.”

He wanted all “anti-terrorist wings in all countries to take cognisance” of the event and help bring the perpetrators to justice. “Terrorists have no idealism except strong belief in senseless violence and wanton destruction… All of us are vulnerable,” he warned.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi described the “violence driven by extremism” as a “major challenge.” India had a major role to play in addressing two challenges facing the world now — terrorism and the economic downturn. Recalling that the message of non-violence emerged from India in the philosophy of the Buddha, he said the world needed to take a lesson on the concept of peaceful co-existence from India.

Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi echoed the feelings when he declared that “this country is strong enough to face challenges from anywhere.”

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