As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the U.S. to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India is likely to tell the international forum that there are hardly any cases of Indians joining the violent “pan-Islamist gro ups.”
Though a direct reference to the militant organisation, the Islamic State (IS), will be avoided, sources said India is likely to highlight the fact that “the source of terrorism faced by India is often outside the country.”
Mr. Modi will address the Sustainable Development Summit at the UNGA on September 25. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is already in the U.S. and she will deliver India’s statement in the General Debate in the morning session of the UNGA on October 1.
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India also wants the draft on Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to be finalised. “India has adopted a calibrated response to violent extremism that prevents disproportionate use of force by the government. There are only a few instances of Indians joining extremist groups like the Islamic State,” said a senior government official.
India will put across the point that it has never used “air power” against violent extremists.
India’s strength as a “liberal and plural democracy” would be highlighted, as would the government’s affirmative actions in strengthening the bond between different communities.
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The government has been extremely cautious in dealing with the threat posed by the IS and has at all forums said that the group was not a threat to India.
Going by available records, 19 persons of Indian origin are understood to have joined the IS so far.
On Monday, the case of a woman intending to join the IS was detected. The Delhi University graduate and daughter of an Army man is presently being counselled by agencies. She was apparently attracted to the IS during her stay in Australia.