UN report vindicates India’s long-standing position that Pakistan is epicentre of terrorism: MEA

The Indian government on Tuesday said that a United Nations report on terrorism and Afghanistan has vindicated its long-standing stand that Pakistan is the epicentre of global terrorism.

“This vindicates India’s long-standing position that Pakistan remains the epicentre of international terrorism,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

Srivastava added that banned terrorist organizations and individuals continue to enjoy safe haven in Pakistan with state support.

“They inflict violence and spread terrorism in the region and other parts of the world,” he said.

“Pakistan has failed in fulfilling its international obligations, including under relevant UNSC resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force, to put an end to support to terrorism,” he added.

Srivastava said the international community should hold Pakistan accountable and demand that the country take sustained, verifiable and irreversible action against terrorist groups.

The 25th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team was issued late last month. According to the report, Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and Lashkar-e-Taiba are engaged in trafficking fighters into Afghanistan who are threatening to derail the peace process in the war-torn country.

“All three groups have a presence in the eastern Afghan provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan,” the report said.

Srivastava also said that India remains committed to supporting all efforts towards securing peace, security and stability in Afghanistan.

In March, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed a decree to release 1,500 Taliban prisoners to begin direct talks with the insurgent group, aimed at ending the 18-year-long war in the country.