Mar 17, 2017: Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the countries and state-supported groups, which violate the definition of terrorism as prescribed by the United Nations, should be punished by the international community. Addressing the ‘Counter Terrorism Conference in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Singh said, coastal borders of 36 countries touch Indian Ocean and nations including India. He emphasized on the need to work together to ensure safety and protection of maritime domains and trade and economic activities through sea routes.
The Home Minister said programmes on terror in Indian Ocean region should not be limited to statements and there is a need to undertake concrete measures and put in place strong mechanisms which can help friendly countries and regions in ensuring constant flow of information. Referring to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and 1993 serial blasts in the metropolis,
Mr Singh said the perpetrators and material for both attacks came from Pakistan using sea routes. He said, due to the growing influence of Middle-East terror group ISIS, the nearby seas of West Asia and North Africa have been vulnerable to maritime terrorism.
