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Terrorism and radicalism pose a collective threat to humanity: Indian Envoy
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Terrorism and radicalism pose a collective threat to humanity, said Indian High Commissioner (HC) to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu, speaking at the inauguration of the 21st Diploma Course in Diplomacy & World Affairs, at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) in Colombo, on Thursday.
“Terrorism, anywhere in the world, attacks the conscience of the whole of humanity. It attacks the human spirit that we are one. The divisive Jihadi ideology needs to be isolated and eliminated, as it is a threat to regional security and global peace, as the recent attacks in Sri Lanka are not just against Sri Lanka,” the HC said, adding that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered all possible assistance in this regard, should Sri Lanka require it.
HC Sandhu also spoke of India’s foreign policy, with special emphasis on national security, while also touching upon various aspects of India-Sri Lanka relations.
“The core aim of India’s foreign policy is to ensure the safety and security of its 1.3 billion people, and meet their genuine developmental aspirations. While pursuing India’s objectives, India is not governed by self-interest alone,” HC Sandhu stressed, adding that India has always believed in sharing its developmental successes. Growing together has been the basic tenet of India’s foreign policy. As Prime Minister Modi has said, India seeks a future for the Indian Ocean that lives up to the name of SAGAR- Security and Growth for All in the Region.
“Individual countries cannot remain peaceful, secure and prosperous, if the region and world at large are in turmoil. It is a highly interconnected world today. We cannot banish other’s misery as his or her own problem. It is as much ours, as his or hers. It is in our individual and collective interest to maintain world peace and collective stability.
“In the digital age, while technology and social media have brought humanity together, it has also become a potential weapon for the spread of aggression and intolerance. Irrespective of the actual location of individuals, ideas and ideologies travel beyond borders, on a real time basis,” he pointed out.
“Alienation, compartmentalisation and hierarchy of identities provide fertile ground to breed hate and violence. Love and tolerance are virtues which can be nurtured only in the waters of togetherness. India believes in taking everyone along in its journey towards development. Pluralism calls for celebration, not confrontation,” the HC stated.
BIDTI Director General Pamela Deen, Foreign Ministry Director General, Damayanthi Rajapakse, BIDTI Faculty members and students were in attendance.
The HC also gifted books to the BIDTI on the occasion.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Pamela Deen and Damayanthi Rajapakse
A section of the audience