India warns against double standards

India on Monday warned the international community of “serious consequences” if it continues to adopt “double standards” in dealing with terrorism and strongly pitched for crafting of an effective global strategy to deal with the menace.

In her address at the foreign ministers meeting of RIC (Russia-India-China), external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said there must be an effective global action against terror networks and terrorism remains the foremost threat to peace and security. “India believes that the foremost challenge to international security continues to be posed by international terrorism. The RIC countries must lead the way in getting the international community together to counter terrorism through joint action, including at the UN,” Ms Swaraj said.

“We must not fail in this regard. If we continue to adopt double standards in dealing with terrorism it will have serious consequences not just for our own countries, but the international community as a whole,” she said.

Significantly, Ms Swaraj’s remarks came after she raised with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, before the tilateral, the issue of China blocking India’s bid at the UN to have JeM chief and Pathankot terror attack mastermind Masood Azhar designated as terrorist.

Later, addressing a press conference along with Wang and her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Ms Swaraj said there was a need to craft an effective global strategy to counter terrorism, including at the UN.

“India, Russia and China have been victims of terrorism. It is natural for us that we unite to lead the world in our fight against terrorism. To do this, it is important that we give up the distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terrorists. We will also need to give up the tendency to differentiate between ‘my terrorists’ and ‘your terrorists’,” Ms Swaraj said.