The Hindu : Front Page : G8 Summit stands by India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 18, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

G8 Summit stands by India

N. Ram

"We are outraged by the barbaric terrorist acts and stand in solidarity"

St. Petersburg: The G8 Summit's strong condemnation of the "barbaric terrorist acts" in Mumbai and "other parts of India," the readiness to "undertake all necessary measures to bring to justice perpetrators, organisers, sponsors of these and other terrorist acts," and the solidarity expressed with India in its fight against terrorism owe much to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's persistence and persuasive powers in mainstreaming this issue at St. Petersburg.

This is a rare instance of a major international summit speaking out so clearly on an issue affecting India. It figured in the `Outreach', bilateral, and trilateral meetings that kept the Indian delegation busy all day Monday.

The joint statement by the G8, the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa, the Chairman of the Council of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Chairman of the African Union, and the heads of international organisations reads:

"We are outraged by the barbaric terrorist acts, carried out on 11 July 2006 in Mumbai and other parts of India. We stand in solidarity with the Government and the people of India and express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.

"We are determined to continue the fight against terrorism by all legitimate means. We express our readiness to undertake all necessary measures to bring to justice perpetrators, organisers, sponsors of these and other terrorist acts, and those who incited the perpetrators to commit them. We shall do it in accordance with our obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian law.

"We are united with India in our resolve to intensify efforts to fight terrorism, which constitutes a threat to each of our countries, as well as to international peace and security."

The Summit also came up with a general declaration on counter-terrorism, which can be read at http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/17.html

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page