SPEECH

We Must Fight Terrorism on Our Own : Sonia Gandhi
The text of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s speech at a seminar on “International Cooperation Against Terrorism - Implications and Choices for India” organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in New Delhi on 9 October, 2001

As we meet here today, dark and menacing clouds of conflict, even war are visible in our region. Terrorism is no longer just a sinister word, but a murderous reality. Terrorists respect no frontiers or boundaries. They respect no law, tolerance, humanity or harmony.

India is not a frontline state in the emerging international coalition against terrorism, but it is certainly in the frontline of countries afflicted by terrorism. For almost half a century, the Indian state has confronted terrorism in its varying forms - secessionist, ideological or criminal - in different parts of the country.

India has experienced its destabilizing effects and human and economic costs. In states like Mizoram and Punjab; we have found solutions but elsewhere, where cross-border terrorism is concerned, we have a long way to go. The agony of Jammu and Kashmir drags on. I express our profound sense of sympathy and grief at last week’s attack in Srinagar, to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the bereaved families.

Terrorism like for thousands of others has a deep personal resonance for me. It has twice darkened my life and that of my children. The September 11 attacks on New York and Washington touched a nerve in all of us, piling horror upon horror. Our hearts went out to the victims and their families and to the American people as a whole. We are witnessing an ominous and dramatic escalation of international terrorism. And thanks to the global media, the world is made aware of its power and effects.

Added to the mournful catalogue of plane hijacking and bombings - such as those of Air India 1985 and PanAm in 1988, each with hundreds killed - we now have aircraft used as flying bombs to wreck massive destruction, and send shock waves through the global economy.

900 million viewers watched the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972; more than 4 billion saw the World Trade Centre crumble. The technology of terrorism in weapons and explosives is also constantly being upgraded. Sarin nerve gas was used in the Tokyo subway in 1995. No category of civilian is any longer immune, whether tourists in Egypt or pilgrims on their way to Amarnath in Kashmir.

The ‘Great Terror’ of the French Revolution which first gave rise to the term ‘terrorist’ pales in comparison to what we see today. Terrorism poses a major threat to India’s national security, the integrity of the country, the viability of our democracy and the future of our pluralist society. Terrorism feeds on division and grievances within society, but it also deepens them.

We may be at one of history’s crossroads, one of those moments on which the future hinges. Already there is talk that some good may come of the destruction that we witnessed on September 11. The US may have to look again at those of its policies, notably in West Asia, which have caused so much resentment and suffering and fuelled such deadly hatred.

Last month’s events have focussed attention on terrorism like nothing before, and world opinion is unifying in its opposition to this menace. It is my hope that as the world unites on this issue, we will all be able to work for a common goal to fight terrorism in all its forms, wherever exists.

Jammu and Kashmir, inevitably, is at the centre of our thinking at this juncture. Last week’s suicide bombing of the State Assembly has given new urgency to our concerns. While the statements in Washington, London and Paris in response to the tragedy in Srinagar may mark a new development and herald greater understanding of India’s position, we must recognise that the primary responsibility for combating terrorism remains with us.

Clearly there are no simple solutions. So even as the armed forces remain vigilant, India must be creative in exploring every possible avenue of reconciliation in Jammu and Kashmir. Even as we make efforts to reach the hearts of our own young people, we have to ensure that our neighbour does not continue to play its deadly game. We expect the leaders of the West not to lose sight of this reality, in developing the global coalition against terrorism.

The United Nations must play a leading role so that the wishes of all its member countries are taken into account. The Non-Aligned too must rise to the occasion and provide relevant inputs to the new international agenda in which terrorism is inflicting havoc on us all.

Sincerity to the cause of fighting terrorism also demands a much higher level of political effort with countries of the Islamic world, who also shared the world’s horror at the events of September 11. We need their solidarity and support. We must constantly remind ourselves that our fight is with terrorism and not with Islam. This must be the bedrock of our policy, without ambiguity or equivocation. The fight against terrorism imposes on us four obligations to be clear sighted, determined, persistent and vigilant.

Many of you have years of experience in Government and other specialized spheres and will know better than others how the system works - or rather, how it fails to work counter-terrorism requires sophisticated intelligence backed by co-ordinated political, security, administrative and economic responses, psychological insight and skillful media communication. I am afraid our system does not fully measure up. Different departments, agencies and ministries become competent power centres, in institutional and professional rivalries, and do not work with coordination on a common cause of purpose. We are not given to quick and effective decision making and we need to be far more alert and responsive than we have been in the past. Finally, in our federal system, the Centre and States should cooperate closely when it comes to fighting terrorism.

The question must be asked whether our institutional structures and, in particular, the National Security Council as presently conceived, can deal adequately with the menace of terrorism. Is the Council capable of bringing focused and undivided attention on the issue, based on a recognition that terrorism is more than just a law and order problem?

Today’s terrorists are sophisticated, highly trained and strongly motivated. They are constantly developing ingenious and innovative methods. They command vast financial resources. They have linkages inside and outside the country. They are ready to die for their cause. They thus constitute a formidable adversary. Nimble-footed, specialized and highly professional approaches are required to deal with them. With the threat of increased terrorism, perhaps, we need to look carefully at our structures and anti-terrorist forces and institutions to see how they can be more effective. Better anticipation and prevention are vital for successfully combating terrorism. I am confident that during the course of your deliberations you will reflect on the upsurge of terrorist activities and its many different courses in different parts of the world. All these are issues that will affect the future of our nation and generations to come. I would like to add that the forum in which we are meeting encourages discussion and debate and the presentation of diverse and possible conflicting opinion. This we do in order to gain a greater understanding of issues and find solutions to problems.