Prez calls for concerted international efforts against terror

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today called for international efforts to face terrorism, asserting this was important for peace and stability in the world. President Patil who was on a three-day state visit to Cyprus, said ''the international community must work together to defeat the forces of terrorism who are inflicting wanton destruction across the globe.'' She made this remark during her speech at the banquet in her honour by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias this evening. The President said it was important that the perpetrators of terrorist acts were punished promptly so that ''justice and not impunity prevails.'' She thanked Cyprus for showing "deep understanding" of India's national aspirations for supporting India's permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council and India specific civil nuclear energy waiver at the Nuclear Suppliers Group. ''India values the consistent support that Cyprus has extended on issues of vital concern,'' she added. Observing that the two countries had many similarities, President Patil said both India and Cyprus share faith in democracy, respect for diversity, and strive for a peaceful environment in which ''our people can benefit from the fruits of rapid and sustainable development.

She, however, stressed the need for more substantive cooperation on economic, scientific and technological fronts, assuring all cooperation and full commitment towards deepening and enhancing the bilateral relationship. She said both governments need to encourage business people and institutions to impart greater energy in their mutual interaction and cited information technology, renewable sources of energy, innovations in the automobile sector, sustainable tourism projects, infrastructure projects. Health and wellness were some of the promising areas in which the two countries could cooperate, she said. ''Just as the membership of the EU enlarges frontiers of opportunity of Cyprus, the rapid economic growth of India in recent years, even in the adverse global financial conditions provides profitable opportunities for medium and long-term investments,'' she said. Referring to the strong bonds of traditional friendship that the two country had, President Patil said, ''Just as Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawharlal Nehru and Mrs Indira Gandhi have been immortalised in memorials and streets named after them in Nicosia, Archbishop Makarios has been honoured in New Delhi, where a major road is named after him.''

-- (UNI) -- 31DF8.xml

Viewer's Comment

Comments Not Available

More Stories