Fully committed to zero tolerance policy against terror: India

United Nations: Asserting that there can be no justification for terror acts, India has said it is fully committed to the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism.

Participating in the 9th meeting of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center (UNCCT), India's Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukerji urged the UN body to continue its efforts towards balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.

The pillars are -- addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, preventing and combating terrorism, building states' capacity to prevent and combat terrorism and strengthen the UN system's role in this regard and ensuring respect for human rights.

"India on its part is fully committed to the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and firmly believes that there can be no justification for terrorist acts," Mukerji said here yesterday.

India voiced its support to the idea of investing in understanding the Foreign Terrorist Fighters phenomenon.

Mukerji proposed that a discussion paper be circulated to the board to enable its members to have an action oriented discussion on the issue.

Mukerji also welcomed the suggestion of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of providing the expertise of the UNCCT to the UN peacekeeping operations, particularly those that have been directly affected by terrorist acts.

He extended India's full support to the capacity building of the UNCCT in regions most affected by terrorism.

"In order to be effective and sustainable, the capacity building initiative of the Centre should be tailored in response to requests by member states of the United Nations.

“The idea of having an impact in the short, medium and long term is certainly the pragmatic way to go about," he said.