Don’t glorify terrorists as martyrs, says Bimstec

India got a shot in the arm on Monday with members of regional grouping Bimstec jointly affirming that they “condemn in the strongest terms the recent barbaric terror attacks in the region” and that the joint fight against terror “should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against states who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues”.

Bimstec — comprising India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — also said that “there should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs” even as New Delhi said Monday Pakistan has been isolated due to its own policies and it (India) has nothing to do with it. In another development after bilateral talks with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in Goa late Sunday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the “template” set by the Bangladesh government in tackling terror after the terrorist attack in Dhaka in July.

In asking for action against states that support terrorism, the Bimstec statement is being seen as slightly stronger than the Brics statement on Sunday that also condemned all forms of terrorism and had condemned the recent terror attacks (Uri and Pathankot) in India. India has mounted a global diplomatic campaign, widely seen as hugely successful, to isolate Pakistan on the grounds of sponsorship of terror, with Islamabad only having its all-weather friend China as its staunch backer. This comes on the heels of India lashing out at Pakistan over terror at both the Brics summit and the Brics-Bimstec outreach summit in Goa on Sunday.

In an outcome document, Bimstec stated: “Recognising that terrorism continues to remain the single most significant threat to peace and stability in our region, we reiterate our strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stress that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever. We condemn in the strongest terms the recent barbaric terror attacks in the region. We strongly believe that our fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues. There should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs. We recognise the need for urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation. We express our determination to take concrete measures to step up cooperation and coordination among our law enforcement, intelligence and security organisations.”

When asked if India had embarked on a drive to isolate Pakistan after the Pathankot attack itself in January, external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup was quoted as saying in Goa: “If someone has been isolated, it is due to the country’s own policies. India has had nothing to do with it.” He then added: “All Saarc nations (except Pakistan) unitedly said the Saarc summit cannot take place in Islamabad in an atmosphere of terror.”

Asked about details of the bilateral talks between PMs Modi and Sheikh Hasina, the MEA spokesman told reporters that Mr Modi said “terrorism can be contained only with strong public support”, after Sheikh Hasina spelt out to him the steps her government had taken after the Holey Artisan attack, how she contacted all districts of Bangladesh to be on the same page and unite against terror and how she had taken on board all imams to raise their voice against terror. “And she said public awareness is very high in Bangladesh against the menace of terror,” Mr Swarup added.

“PM (Modi) appreciated the very strong stance that the Sheikh Hasina government and Bangladesh had taken against terror, and how that could set a new template for countries on how to tackle this menace of terrorism,” the MEA spokesman said, adding the whole of Bangladesh had rallied behind the Hasina government and it had not had any incident after that attack. On Monday, India also appreciated Brazil’s support for its actions to combat terrorism.