India for global convergence to fight terrorism, says NSA

New Delhi Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in his first public interaction called Tuesday for a collective global convergence on terrorism and said that a UN convention on terrorism could not be formulated for the past 13 years as Pakistan had objected to ldquofreedom fightersrdquo being termed terroristsAddressing the Munich Security Conference meet here Doval also said that India considers strong democracy as the best tool to foster security both within the country and in the regionCommenting on the changing nature of conflicts powered by economics and regional interests he said that the threat of terrorism constituted only 40 percent of the danger and what is important is the response ldquoThere is need for convergence automated systems and institutionalized mechanism and meaningful partnershiprdquo to combat the threat of terrorism he saidHe said that post the 911 attacks when the war on terror was launched terrorism has become ldquomuch more intense and expanded engulfed new areas and the type of capability it has acquired has become mind bogglingrdquo and India is deeply concerned about terrorism and its manifestationsHe said in the past 13 years while individual countries have honed their independent antiterror mechanisms and networks at the international level countries have failed to jointly act against terror except to hold conferencesSince 2001 there had been an idea to have a comprehensive UN convention on terrorism but the failure to have one due to ldquoone reason people could not define terrorismrdquo he said adding that at the Kuala Lumpur conference then it was almost accepted but for one point Some country wanted Pakistan wanted that the causative factor freedom fighters should not be treated as terroristsHe said because of Pakistanrsquos objection the adoption of the UN convention on terrorism was held backHe called for a UN convention on terrorism adding ldquoAnd should something happen there should be a collective response a systemic convergencerdquoSpeaking of cyber terrorism he suggested that the conventional method of extradition and interrogation with regard to cyber terrorists was a ldquovery cumbersome processrdquo Since cyber crime is a fast moving process it needs to be responded to in 24 hoursOn maritime security he said that it is imperative to have free lanes Doval said the Indian Ocean is an area of peace and development and the world has to ldquobe extremely vigilant to see that balances are not disruptedrdquo and wherever there are conflicts global agreements should determine the solutionOn the new Narendra Modi governmentrsquos approach to security Doval said the government does not view it as a problem related to the armed forces or police forces but in a much broader wayldquoFor both internal and external security we think that democracy is one of the most powerful tools in dealing with security problems And if we have democracy a strong democracy in the country and similar in the region that would be one of very surest symbols of Indiarsquos securityrdquo he said and referred to Modirsquos invite to the neighbourhood leaders He said the elections were also indicative of how democracy can bring change of regime in a peaceful and orderly mannerOn the governmentrsquos neighbourhood policy he said the governmentrsquos aim is for development of the region and to see ldquowhether the fruits of Indiarsquos growth and development would have a spillover effectrdquo and also to assure neighbours that Indiarsquos growthldquois not a threat or to undermine statehood but to enrich and provide new opportunitiesrdquoDoval said India wants to resolve any conflict through talks and has made a beginning in the direction ldquoBut at the same time India would like to have an effective deterrence capability that is credible that is seen and known by people and that India cannot be taken for granted and that its legitimate rights cannot be trampled upon and that it becomes an instrument for stability in the region rather than a cause for conflictrdquo he saidTo a question on China Doval said India considers ldquoChina as a very important neighbourrdquo and a country with which India has had good relations for many centuries barring ldquosome bad experience in 1962 and the water disputerdquo He said both sides will find a solution to their bilateral problems through talks and both have found a ldquolot of space in economic cooperationrdquo despite many problems that are commonIn a warning he added ldquobut while we want every opportunity to develop relations to the best extent our territorial interests and sovereignty are totally inalienablerdquo