The Eiffel Tower lit with the blue, white and red colours of the French flag is reflected in the Trocadero fountains in Paris.
By Sanjiv Arora/Doha
The dastardly terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 have once again shocked and outraged the world and underlined the need for further intensifying domestic mechanisms and international co-operation to fight this scourge of our times.
The serial attacks, in which more than 130 people were killed and many more injured, struck the beautiful and historic city of Paris a day after twin suicide bombing attacks in Beirut, which used to be known as the “Paris of the Middle East”, killing at least 43 people.
A week after the carnage in Paris, Bamako, the capital of Mali, was again struck by terrorists who laid siege to a top hotel, taking 170 hostages from several countries – by the time the security forces could overcome the situation, 19 innocent lives had been lost.
These terrorist strikes have taken place a few days before the seventh anniversary of the horrific 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in India – another historic and great city acclaimed for its friendliness, dynamism and resilience.
Terrorism indeed has no boundaries - its perpetrators revel in killing innocent men, women and children anywhere.
The terrorist strikes this month have inevitably been reminding me of watching “breaking news” of many other attacks with shock, sadness and anger. I vividly remember the horrifying pictures of the 9/11 attacks in USA, nearly a year after I had reached Prague; the ruthless killings in Mumbai a few days after I had joined my post in Houston in November, 2008, the disgusting violence unleashed against school children in Peshawar in December last year; and so on…
These cowardly acts of violence against innocent men, women and children are a threat to the entire world and must be confronted and combated unitedly.
The day terror struck Paris, a gush of fond memories of our first visit to Paris in 1995 came back to me and my family, with our hearts full of sorrow at the gruesome tragedy.
We can never forget the exhilarating experience of driving to our friend’s home through the bustling streets and boulevards of Paris, a torch bearer of the eternal values of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” – the same values which are the raison d’être of the Indian civilisational ethos.
It was sheer joy to negotiate the evening traffic in Paris, somewhat similar to that in New Delhi, and circle around the historic Arc de Triomphe, a tribute to those who have made the supreme sacrifice for France through centuries. This was truly a feeling of love at first sight!
It is heart-rending that wanton violence was unleashed against innocent people going about their normal lives – spending a Friday evening out – enjoying sports, arts and cuisine...
With a similar cold blooded methodology, the serial attacks starting November 26, 2008, had targeted iconic locations in Mumbai, including Taj and Oberoi Hotels; Chhatrapati Shivaji Rail Terminus; the popular Leopold Cafe and Nariman House. Having lived in Mumbai 33 years ago and adored this city, it was a pilgrimage for me to re-visit these places after many years recently. It is highly distressing and condemnable that the perpetrators of the heinous attacks in Mumbai have not been brought to justice even seven years later.
As a sombre gesture of India’s strong support and solidarity with France and in a befitting tribute to the indomitable human spirit, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, where the terrorists had killed nearly 80 people, was illuminated in the colours of the French National Flag after 13/11 in Paris.
A few days earlier, on October 24, the crew of the historic Fath Al Khair (meaning “the Victory of Good”) Dhow Voyage from Qatar to Mumbai were given a warm and enthusiastic reception at the Taj Hotel. At a reception graciously hosted by my friend Eric Chevallier, French ambassador to Qatar and Commanding Officer Charles Dard, on board the French Frigate “Cassard” during her voyage to Doha on November 22, we had emotional moments sharing the experiences of our two great countries in fighting terrorism, and saluted our people whose zest for life triumphed over the diabolical designs of terrorists.
We were in unison that terrorists cannot and will not be allowed to undermine human spirit, and it was imperative to counter terrorism collectively with utmost determination and ever growing cooperation.
To quote India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the Paris attacks: “...We must stand together as humanity in combating the major global threat of our times and to uphold our values and our way of life.”
All nations and societies must realise that an act of terrorism anywhere – Paris, Beirut, Bamako, Mumbai, Kabul, Peshawar, New York, London, Madrid, or elsewhere – is a serious threat to peace, security and freedom everywhere.
The international community must have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, not only in words but in deeds. There can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism, and for aiding and abetting such crimes against humanity.
While condemning any terrorist act in the strongest terms and constantly strengthening domestic and international counter terrorism mechanisms, it is equally important that extremism and terrorism are not linked to any religion, belief or creed.
Terrorists have no religion and are the worst violators of human rights, for they seek to destroy the most sacrosanct right – the right to live.
It is necessary for all countries to ensure that United Nations counter terrorism mechanisms are further strengthened and implemented in an objective and effective manner, and there is strict compliance by all member states with the UN Security Council resolutions against terrorism.
It is unfortunate that action has not been taken against some of the designated terrorist outfits and individuals. Such selective approaches to terrorism are fraught with jeopardising global security and should be unequivocally condemned and opposed.
India had proposed a draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations as far back as in 1996. We continue to be actively engaged with other member states for achieving progress on the finalisation of CCIT.
The adoption of CCIT without further delay would demonstrate the seriousness of the international community to fight global terrorism and honour its victims.
♦ The author is India’s ambassador to the State of Qatar. He closely dealt with counter-terrorism issues as Head of United Nations (Political) Division in New Delhi during 2005-08.
