UK condemns cross-border terrorism in J&K

Our Poltical Bureau

New Delhi, Dec 10: Britain has condemned any support to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). “Pakistan government can be under no illusion on this matter,” British high commissioner to India Sir Rob Young said. ‘‘We know for a fact that cross-border infiltration is a contributor to terrorism in J&K, and the UK condemns it,” Sir Rob said here on Monday.

While talking at a seminar on Indo-UK role against terrorism, organised by the NRI Institute, he pointed out that, ‘‘Britain condemns terrorism everywhere including J&K. Terror tactics cannot be justified anywhere in the world.” Asserting that Britain’s Terrorism Act of 2000, which had outlawed many terrorist outfits , aims to make it impossible for the UK being used as a base by anyone to threaten the security of other nations, he said that the present process of establishing an interim government in Afghan was a unique opportunity for stability in the region.

Maintaining that the military offensive in Afghanistan was only the first phase in the fight against terrorism, he said there is a long global campaign ahead, in which India and Britain have active roles to play.

Former prime minister PV Narasimmha Rao was the chief guest in the meeting which was addressed among others by former Indian high commissioner to UK Dr LM Singhvi, NRI industrialist SP Hinduja and Air Chief Marshal (Retd) NC Suri.

“Better late than never, we have started feeling the reality of terrorism. But the tougher task is to address the mind and gun of the terrorist, which will take the longest time,” the former Prime minister said.

Dismissing theories which paint war agaist terrorism as a clash between religions and civilizations, he said “we will have to look into how the ramifications of the fight against terror are addressed” and appreciated Britain’s co-operation with India in this regard.

Prominent NRI businessman SP Hinduja said the problem of Kashmir should also be resolved to bring peace to South Asia and emphasised that the economic development of the people was the only way to address the root cause of terrorism.

“The world leaders must understand that, ‘‘The economic development of the people will protect their dignity and self respect, and will create a bigger market of consumers living above the poverty line, from the present two billion to perhaps six billion,” Mr Hinduja added.

Mr Singhvi said the rest of the world had not quite fully agreed to India’s stand on tackling terrorism “before it was jolted” by the devastating attacks on the WTC on Sept 11.

“It took Sept 11 to involve the world in this crisis, which India has been fighting over decades,” he said.