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."
Tripura BJP to Focus on Organisational Strength Ahead of Upcoming Polls
BJP state president Abhishek Debroy has said that strengthening the party organisation at every level will remain the BJP's top priority as it prepares for the upcoming electoral battles in the state.
Governor Urges Mass Participation in Anti-Drug Drive at Tripura University
Calling drug addiction one of the most serious challenges confronting society, Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu urged citizens to join hands in the fight against narcotics, stressing that a drug-free society can only be achieved through collective public participation.
IGP holds review meeting in Gomati, stresses on intelligence-based policing
Tripura Police’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Law and Order Branch, Manchak Eppar, IPS, visited the Gomati District Police Headquarters to assess the district’s law and order situation, crime prevention strategies and the overall progress of policing activities.
Stolen auto recovered from in Bishramganj, police launch probe
Bishramganj Police have recovered a stolen CNG auto-rickshaw from a rubber plantation near the new petrol pump area along the National Highway late Saturday night.
Auto Drivers Protest Traffic Enforcement in Kamalasagar
Tension briefly flared in the Lembutuli area of Kamalasagar on Sunday after an enforcement drive against the use of black window films (sun-control films) on vehicles led to a confrontation between Bishalgarh Police and auto-rickshaw drivers.
Garbage dumping row triggers protest in Kamalpur
Alleged dumping of garbage into a privately owned pond in Rishipara under Ward No. 2 of the Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Dhalai district has sparked outrage among local residents, who have demanded immediate intervention by the administration to address the growing environmental and public health concerns.
Police personnel accused of performing duty under influence of alcohol at Mata Bari; Probe Demanded
Allegations that a police personnel was performing duty under the influence of alcohol at the revered Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Gomati district, have triggered widespread concern, with the incident drawing significant attention on social media.
Woman dies, minor injured after car crashes into house in South
A 45-year-old woman lost her life and a 10-year-old girl was injured after a WagonR car allegedly went out of control and hit them near Kalachhara Railway Station in South Tripura district on Sunday morning.