Delhi carnage

We are seeing the ugly head of terrorism with horror and consternation. Violence in its different manifestations have been witnessed in Karachi, and in Colombo, in Kathmandu and at home at different times confirming the fact of its broad sweep and terrible destructive powers that no nation or individual can feel immune from. The phenomenon has for quite sometime assumed a global dimension, transversing political boundaries and geographical confines. It is as if terrorism has kept up with the pace of globalisation. Needless to say, this sinister and evil phenomenon has thrived on the networking of the terrorist groups, almost without any hindrance.

If anything, it has once again demonstrated the utter helplessness of even the strongest of nations in the face of terrorism. It has again highlighted the reality that terrorism cannot be tackled alone or in isolation. There is a need to get nations to network in the field of intelligence and information sharing, just in the same manner as the terrorists network to carry out their nefarious designs.

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Coming as this painful incident does, on the eve of the 13th SAARC summit, it is by far the strongest message conveyed to our leaders of the need for a coordinated action if terrorism is to be tackled effectively. SAARC has already a Convention on Terrorism, which needs to be fully operationalised without delay, and if necessary, the provisions of the Convention should be made more in line with the complexity of the challenge.

The forthcoming Summit is very appropriately taking up the issue of fighting the menace, but what we need is well-defined action plan to fight terrorism rather than mere expression of intent.

We urge the SAARC leaders to put their heads together to devise effective collaborative steps that may include, among other things, real time intelligence sharing and sharing of the list of terrorists and terrorist groups that are active in the region. There may also be the need to link up internationally to checkmate the ever-growing threat of terrorism.