By NNN-Bernama
New Delhi : Indian top leaders today warned the world about proliferation of trans-border terrorism which is becoming a serious scourge burdening nations, especially in Asia.
Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the challenge of terrorism was a global problem that required a global solution to stop the growing threats.
“Asia in particular is the home to by far the largest number of terrorist groups in the world. India has been facing this curse since the 1980’s, first in Punjab, then in Jammu and Kashmir, and now in other parts of the country as well,” Mukherjee said in his address at the 10th Asian Security Conference here Tuesday.
Speaking at the same conference, India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony said the emergence of non-state players, who did not recognise any territorial boundaries, was another grave challenge confronting all nations.
“They utilise the latest global communication and transport networks and rely on garnering international support.
“Their common objective is to disturb existing state apparatus, destabilise neighbouring states and create new states based on ethno-cultural identity.
“Most of these non-state players are not fighting for a national identity, or territory and have abstract notions of carving out a separate and unique identity of their own based on ethnicity and religion,” he pointed out.
According to estimates of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies’ annual publication, the Military Balance, out of the 343 non-state armed groups operating in the world, 187 groups operated in the Asian region, said Antony.
“India has been the target of disruptive elements for several years. Major powers of the world then believed that they would be immune to such elements and as such, had little sympathy for our concerns.
“However, now all nations realise and accept the need for greater cooperation in effectively meeting such challenges,” he added.