States that encourage terror to be held accountable: BIMSTEC

Kathmandu: Describing terrorism as a "great threat" to international peace and security, India and six other BIMSTEC nations on Friday called for identifying and holding accountable States and non-State entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuaries to terrorists and falsely extol their virtues.

The Kathmandu Declaration issued at the end of the two-day 4th BIMSTEC summit, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others, deplored terror attacks in all parts of the world including in BIMSTEC countries and stressed that there could be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

"Friday's proceedings at the BIMSTEC Summit were extremely productive. We built on the ground covered on Thursday and reiterated our commitment to strengthen multilateral cooperation in diverse areas further," Modi said.

"Terrorism and transnational organised crimes continue to pose a great threat to international peace and security including in the BIMSTEC countries," the Kathmandu declaration said as it strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever and by whomsoever committed.

The declaration, which was unanimously adopted by all the member states, said the "fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror organisations and networks but also identify and hold accountable States and non-State entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuaries to terrorists and terror groups and falsely extol their virtues."

The declaration did not name any specific country, but Pakistan is often accused by its neighbours, including India, of providing safe havens to terrorists.

It asked all nations to devise a comprehensive approach which should include preventing financing of terrorists and terrorist actions from territories under their control, blocking recruitment and cross-border movement of terrorists, countering radicalisation, countering misuse of the internet for purposes of terrorism and dismantling terrorist safe havens.

It said that combating terrorism and transnational organised crimes require sustained efforts and cooperation and a comprehensive approach involving active participation and collaboration of the Member States.

The declaration called for strengthening cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies of the member states, holding meetings at the level of BIMSTEC Home Ministers and the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs.

The BIMSTEC is a regional grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. The cluster accounts for 22 per cent of the global population and has a combined gross domestic product of USD 2.8 trillion.

In the declaration, the member states reiterated their pledge to work collectively towards making BIMSTEC a stronger, more effective and result-oriented organisation for achieving a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Bay of Bengal Region.