New Delhi: India is an extremely responsible power but when the need for a hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt, the country went all out to destroy terrorism in the national interest, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Tuesday.
"India is an extremely responsible power. But when the need for a hard pursuit against terrorist havens, was felt, we have gone all out to destroy terrorism in our national interest," Doval said during an event at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Delhi.
"India has actively been working to combat terrorism through various means, including strengthening its security apparatus, enacting new laws and cooperating with other countries to prevent terrorist activities. However, in this war against terror, even in the face of great provocation, India has steadfastly upheld the rule of law rights of its citizens and protection of human values and human rights," he added.
Doval said India continues to play its role as a refuge for heterodox ideas with infinite capacity to absorb dissent. No religion is under any threat.
"As a proud civilizational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time. It was no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in the global terrorism has been incredibly low."
Doval said he agreed with Saudi Arabia's former Minister for Justice, Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim al-Issa that terrorism cannot be linked with any religion. The former Saudi Arabia minister, who is Secretary General, Muslim World League, also addressed the gathering.
The NSA said India has been leading the fight against individuals and organizations - who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism. "The challenge of extremism and global terrorism compels us not to lower our guard. To preserve the security and stability within our borders and also rise to the security challenges beyond, India has been leading the fight - the fight against individuals and organizations - who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism," he said.
"I vividly recall the terrorist attack on the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979 and how that incident became a turning point in the way Saudi Arabia looked at itself and rest of the world. The attack was carried out by a group of militants who seized the mosque and held the hostages for several days. The attack brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront and forced Saudi Arabia to reevaluate its security measures and foreign policy," he added.
Doval said India has also been a victim of terrorism for many decades and has stuck to rule of law in fight against terrorism.
"The country has faced numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 168 lives. India has actively been working to combat terrorism through various means, including strengthening its security apparatus, enacting new laws, and cooperating with other countries to prevent terrorist activities.
However, in this war against terror, even in the face of grave provocations, India has steadfastly upheld the rule of law, rights of its citizens and protection of human values and rights."
Praising Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa, Doval said his deep understanding of Islam and religions of the world's incessant efforts toward interfaith harmony, courage to persistently lead on the path of reforms is not only contributing to a better understanding of Islam and its seminal contribution to humanity but also preventing extremist and radical ideologies to plague the young minds.
The NSA said that in his capacity as Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa has extensively travelled throughout the world and propagated his message of "peace, empathy and co-existence in the most unambiguous and effective way".
"Your interactions and persuasive articulations have not only brought about a deeper and better understanding of Islam but also worked as a catalyst in promoting the values of compassion, tolerance, and respect among different faiths. The World in conflict and turmoil today, needs it more than ever before," the NSA said.
