The UN General Assembly has called for the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that was proposed by India and has been languishing for more than a quarter of a century.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the Assembly urged its 193 members "to make every effort to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism".
The resolution reviewing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy reiterated the obligation of all countries to "deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment and financial, material or political support" and to bring to justice or extradite terrorists and their supporters.
The Assembly adopted the resolution during the Counter-Terrorism Week at which a high-level meeting was convened and several programmes on fighting the scourge were held.
The main roadblock to adopting the convention proposed by India in 1996 is the definition of terrorists, with some countries claiming that their favoured terrorists are "freedom fighters".
UN Assembly President Csaba Korosi said, "We must ask ourselves, should we continue to bicker over what constitutes terrorism or violent extremism? To languish in details and remain blind to the bigger picture?"
"Or should we come together and channel all our resources to fight terrorism in all its forms," he asked, as he called for "political and moral will to act together".
Speaking at the high-level meeting on Tuesday, India's Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry, Praveen Vashishta, had said, "Unfortunately, there are also some countries who seek to undermine or subvert our collective resolve to fight terrorism. That cannot be allowed to pass."
"There cannot be any exception or any justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivations behind such acts," he had said.
It is "vital that we do not take a selective, tactical or even a complacent view of the problems we face" and "must never countenance sanctuaries for terrorists or overlook the raising of their resources", he had said.
"And when we see state hospitality being extended to those with innocents' blood on their hands, we should never lack the courage to call out this double-speak," he added in an obvious reference to Pakistan.
Another element in the resolution of relevance to terrorism from Pakistan asks for cooperation between countries in investigations of terrorism, but it is unlikely to be implemented.
It asked UN members "to provide full coordination and afford one another the greatest measure of assistance" in "criminal investigations or criminal proceedings relating to the financing or support of terrorist acts, especially with those states where, or against whose citizens, terrorist acts are committed, including obtaining evidence for the proceedings involving terrorist organisations, terrorist entities or foreign terrorist fighters".
It added, "All states must cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism on the basis of mutual legal assistance and the principle of extradite or prosecute."
India stands with Iran in time of sorrow: PM Modi on demise of Ebrahim Raisi
Expressing shock at the demise of the Iraninan leader, PM Modi said his contribution to strengthening ties between the two nations will be always be remembered.
Drugs valued at Rs 105 crore seized in Assam; 3 arrested
The Assam Police have seized drugs valued at Rs 105 crore along the inter-state border with Mizoram in Cachar district, an official said on Sunday, adding three persons were also arrested in this connection.
Human trafficking suspect wanted by NIA arrested in Tripura
The Tripura Police on Sunday arrested a human trafficking suspect who was on the 'wanted list' of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), an official said.
PM Modi 'deeply concerned' at Iran President's helicopter incidentv
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his "deep concern" at Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter going missing after making a "hard landing" and prayed for his well-being.
PM Modi says 'this is Bharat's moment'; urges youth to 'dream big'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the importance of ‘thinking big and thinking ahead of time’, on Sunday said that this is Bharat’s moment and we must not lose it.
Indian stock markets will break all records on June 4: PM Modi
Once the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4, the Indian stock markets will break all previous records, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
AAP on streets to save accused, says Swati Maliwal
AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal on Sunday while reflecting on the past 12 years since the horrific Nirbhaya case, said that 'they are now out on the streets to save the accused who made the CCTV footage disappear and formatted the phone'.
Captain Gopichand, five others set to fly to edge of space aboard Blue Origin mission
Captain Gopichand Thotakura, along with five others, is set to fly to the edge of space on Blue Origin's crewed flight mission on Sunday evening.