UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday said that terror is an absolute “evil” and no reason, pretext or grievance can justify the act of terrorism. Guterres was paying tributes to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai.
“Terror is absolute evil. There are no reasons, no pretext, no causes, and no grievances that can justify terrorism. It has no room in today’s world.”
UN Chief, who came to India on Wednesday, visited the Taj Hotel on Wednesday and laid a wreath in honor of all those who sacrificed their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. UN Chief further said, “I feel deeply moved to be here where one of the barbaric terrorist acts in history took place where 166 people lost their lives. I want to pay tribute to the victims they are heroes of all world and I want to express my deepest condolences to their families, to their friends, to the people of India, and to all those that are coming from other parts of the world that have lost their lives in Mumbai.”
He also said that “fighting terrorism must be a global priority for every country on earth and fighting terrorism is a central priority for the UN”.
Recalling his first reform, Guterres said that he made a proposal for the creation of the office of anti-terrorism, an office that exists today. The office was created with the intention to cooperate with member states in order to provide the kind of systems and advice and training that is necessary for all countries to be prepared to be able to prevent and simultaneously fight against terrorist acts.
In another programme at IIT Bombay, Guterres termed India a partner of choice of the UN and said that New Delhi has increased its impact on the international stage due to the donation of medicines, equipment, and vaccines at height of Covid-19 to neighbouring countries.
