Global security threats warrant cooperation among states: Indian high commissioner

The Indian high commissioner in Dhaka has called upon the countries to cooperate with each other to tackle the global security threats.

“Terrorism is a global challenge which affects all of us and remains one of the most significant threats to peace and stability in the region,” Harsh Vardhan Shringla said.

“With globalisation, the security threats and the networks of terror - be it financial or physical, transcend boundaries which call for states to pool their resources and cooperate with each other to overcome these challenges,” he said on Tuesday while giving a talk at the National Defence College and Armed Forces War College.

He said the current security concerns also calls for the international community “to jettison selective or partial approaches to combating terrorism and for early finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by UNGA”.

He said the fight against terrorism “should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists, terror organisations and networks but also identify, hold accountable and take measures against States and entities which encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups and falsely extol their virtues”.

He lauded Bangladesh’s anti-terrorism stance and said India took a “zero-tolerance approach” towards terrorism.

“….and we laud your efforts in this direction.”

The high commissioner talked about the “Contemporary India, its Foreign Policy, Security & Development Strategy & Bangladesh-India Relations” in his lecture.

He focused on the new thrusts of Indian foreign policy which he said, in turn, is inextricably linked to India's Development and Security Strategy. He also highlighted India-Bangladesh relations especially in the context of the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in April.

Commandant of the National Defence College Lt. Gen. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy was also present.

Shringla said the broad goals of Indian foreign policy are also “to create an enabling environment to ensure India’s growth and development”.

“This means ensuring peace and stability in the region so that our energies are focused on development; it means pursuing relations with other countries in a manner that it serves the needs of our people”.

“The goals of Indian foreign policy are linked with that of the neighbouring countries. There are synergies that we have that we need to tap on”.

“We also need to move towards enhanced connectivity to allow for seamless movement of goods and people and at the same time protect our strategic and security interests,” he said.

“Under the present government, India has adopted a proactive approach to diplomacy to serve our development goals,” he said.

“The aim of our foreign policy is also to play a constructive role in setting the global agenda on various issues of common interest-whether it is terrorism or climate change”.

On the bilateral relations, he said, India and Bangladesh have “excellent” security cooperation at all levels.

He referred to the recent cyclone Mora in which India’s offshore patrol navy ship rescued 32 Bangladesh nationals from the Bay.

“Joint search and rescue operations conducted by our Coast Guards last year have saved the lives of fishermen stranded at sea,” he said.

“Close co-operation between the BSF and BGB along the land border keeps in check criminal activities and enhances confidence”.

“Security is one of the strongest areas of our cooperation, and there are excellent relations between our military and security personnel,” the High Commissioner added.