Stating that the scourge of terrorism remains the “primary security challenge” for all peaceful countries, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday warned the global community that distinctions are still sought to be made between “good and bad terrorists,” despite all the evidence and experience to the contrary.
“Terrorism is being reinvented in newer and even more dangerous manifestations. The manipulation of young minds by fundamentalist groups using new technologies and social media has already caused long-term damage to our societies. One manifestation of this is the recent string of lone-wolf attacks in many countries,” Mr. Jaitley said addressing the 6th Moscow Conference on International Security in Moscow.
His comments come in the backdrop of India’s objections to including Taliban in the peace talks in Afghanistan as part of the reconciliatory process as well as concerns at Pakistan’s selective action against terrorist networks on its Afghanistan border while promoting cross-border terrorism against India.
‘Terror will backfire’
Observing that India had addressed the threat for over three decades, he said, “Terrorism will recoil on those who nurture it.”
Referring to the advances in the fight against the Islamic State in West Asia, the Defence Minister said even as the breeding grounds of terrorism in that region were eliminated, the danger of such elements “returning to their home countries” had become a major challenge for all.
On the issue of North Korea, Mr. Jailtley expressed concern at the recent “escalation of tensions” in the Korean peninsula and took a dig at Pakistan without naming it.
