SAARC, Key Instrument In Common War Against Terrorists: India

New Delhi, Aug 15, IRNA – India’s President, Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should be a major instrument in the common war against terrorists. Mukherjee, addressing the nation on the eve of 66th Independence Day, said: “The SAARC should be a major instrument in the common war against terrorists. Great success is possible by international cooperation, but all SAARC nations must cooperate to bring to justice those who believe in mayhem against innocents. There is no other way towards peace on the subcontinent, he added. Asserting that it is a fact of our geopolitical environment that some problems transcend borders, Indian President said that SAARC was created 27 years ago to find solutions through dialog, and by mutual cooperation create the rapid economic growth that is the only long-term answer to problems like migration and uneven development. SAARC must acquire vigor to fulfill its mandate. Turning on to economy, Mukherjee, a veteran parliamentarian said from an annual growth average of one per cent in 1947, it has climbed to eight per cent over last seven years. 'If our economy has achieved critical mass, then it must become a launching pad for the next leap. We need a second freedom struggle; this time to ensure that India is free for ever from hunger, disease and poverty,' he said. Notwithstanding the tremendous pressure of an adverse external environment, our economy today is more resilient and confident, noted Mukherjee. He further noted that the two decades of steady economic reforms have contributed to improvement in average income and consumption levels in both rural and urban areas. There is new found dynamism in some of the most backward areas bringing them into national economic mainstream. Yet there are several gaps that need to be bridged, the President added.