Terror ‘gravest threat’ to Asia

Dushanbe, June 15

Terrorism poses the “gravest threat” to the people in Asia and terrorists and their victims must never be equated, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Saturday.

Addressing the fifth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit in the Tajik capital, Jaishankar said the CICA members are the victims of terrorism.

“Terrorism is the gravest threat we face in Asia. CICA members are its victims and so it should be clear that terrorists and their victims must never be equated,” he tweeted.

His statement came a day after PM Narendra Modi, addressing the SCO Summit in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, lashed out at countries “sponsoring, aiding and funding” terrorism and said that such states must be held accountable, in a veiled reference to Pakistan.

The CICA is a pan-Asia forum for enhancing cooperation and promoting peace, security and stability in Asia. Ahead of the Summit, Jaishankar was welcomed by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. — PTI