No selective approaches to fighting terror: PM

United Nations, Sep 24 (PTI) Pitching strongly for an
"unrelenting" fight against terrorism, Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on Saturday said there cannot be "selective
approaches" in dealing with the scourge that needed to be
fought across all fronts.
Addressing the UN General Assembly here, he noted that
terrorism continues to rear its ugly head and take a grievous
toll on innocent lives.
"Developing countries need a peaceful external environment
to grow," Singh told the world leaders assembled for the
annual meet.
"The fight against terrorism must be unrelenting. There
cannot be selective approaches in dealing with terrorist
groups or the infrastructure of terrorism. Terrorism has to be
fought across all fronts," he said.
While delving upon the continued threat posed by
terrorism, the Prime Minister referred to the assassination of
Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani and said it was a
"chilling reminder of the designs of the enemies of peace" in
Afghanistan.
He said it was essential that the process of nation-
building and reconciliation in Afghanistan succeeds, which was
vital for enduring peace and security in the region.
"India will play its part in helping the people of
Afghanistan to build a better future for themselves, just as
we are doing in other countries in South Asia," he said,
adding, "We will do so because prosperity and stability in our
region are indivisible."
The Prime Minister said India wishes to see "an open,
inclusive and transparent architecture of regional cooperation
in the Asia Pacific region and peaceful settlement of
disputes".
He said there were "encouraging signs" of cooperation in
the area of security in South Asia, "exemplified in India's
cooperation with Bangladesh".
Such cooperation is adding to the security of both the
countries, Singh said.
While talking about international security concerns, he
said new threats like sea piracy had emerged and pressed the
United Nations to evolve a "comprehensive and effective"
response to it.
He mentioned the problem in the context of piracy in Red
Sea and off the coast of Somalia and said India, as a littoral
state of the Indian Ocean, is ready to work with other
countries in this regard.
"At a time when the world needs more international
commerce, the sea lanes of communication across the Indian
Ocean are under siege. Acts of piracy are being carried out
with impunity from lands that are beyond the writ of any
functioning state or international accountability," he said.
The international community should continue with efforts
to restore stability in Somalia, Singh said.