It is necessary to destroy the entire system of those who breed terrorism

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s statement on Pakistan-sponsored jihadi terrorism

Jakarta (Indonesia) – Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar is currently on a tour of Indonesia. He is there to address the conference of ‘The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’. On terrorism, Jaishankar emphasised that “ARF members must adopt a uniform, unified and zero-tolerance approach. This includes dismantling sanctuaries and financing networks, countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,” the minister said in a tweet.

While addressing the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, Dr Jaishankar further said that India is facing global challenges by promoting global cooperation to fight terrorism. Jaishankar also pressed for “diplomacy to address conflicts”.

“We are concerned about activities undermining peace and stability. Any Code of Conduct must not prejudice the rights and interests of third parties,” the minister told other ARF members, in an apparent reference to China, which has maritime disputes with many countries in the region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.