By IANS,
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee Monday termed terrorism as the biggest threat to international peace and security and called on the international community to take a concerted action against the menace and its sponsors.
“Terrorism has emerged as one of the biggest threats to international peace and security. To defeat this menace, the global community must take concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors,” he said at the state banquet for visiting Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
“We are deeply appreciative of Ukraine’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks in India, including at the time of the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008. I am confident that India and Ukraine can contribute to the global efforts in combating terror,” he said.
He said people of India have deep regard for the Ukrainian people and their remarkable spirit and resilience. “They have overcome many challenging and difficult moments in their history to make Ukraine what it is today – a vibrant economy that is on a very positive path of progress.”
Referring to the joint statement and the agreements that were concluded, Mukherjee said this would further enhance “our successful partnership in diverse fields and enable us to explore new vistas of co-operation”.
Pointing to the bonds of art and culture between India and Ukraine, he said they “have given strength and warmth to our relationship and must be nurtured and allowed to blossom”.
“Our governments can ensure this by facilitating greater cultural and educational contacts between the diverse societies in both our countries,” he said.
Referring to Ukrainians celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of their great son and writer, Taras Shevchenko in 2014, Mukherjee recalled the elebrations in Ukraine of the 150th Anniversary of India’s first Nobel Laureate, poet Rabindranath Tagore.
“We hope to join you in your celebrations by bringing ‘Days of Indian Culture’ to Ukraine in 2014. Before this, we look forward to celebrating the ‘Days of Ukrainian Culture in India’ in 2013,” he said.