Singh Calls for Global Cooperation to Tackle Terrorism

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for continued international cooperation to efficiently tackle the proliferation of extremist ideologies across the globe.

“The growth of extremist ideologies is threatening civilized existence everywhere. The proponents of such ideologies are challenging the tenets of democracy and representational politics by resorting to intimidation, terror and other manifestations of intolerance,” the prime minister said.

Singh made this statement while inaugurating the 20th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi.

He emphasized that parliament should respond to the everyday concerns of the common man and that it should be a forum to articulate and address issues of his concern.

Noting the rise of growing number of regional and sub-regional parties, Singh said that there was greater resonance within the political structure and this brought the role of Speakers into sharp focus.

The prime minister said that it is obligatory for the Presiding Officers that they ensure proper representation to voices of all sections of society in the Parliament.

He said that democracy had strengthened country’s polity and institutions and over one million women representatives have been elected to the local bodies across the country.

Singh said that they were deepening the democracy and enriching the development process. He made it clear that if India is able to banish poverty in a generation, it will answer all the queries as to whether democracy can sustain rapid development and growth.

He also urged the international community that the crucial issue of climate change can be addressed only when a collective and cooperative approach based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibility is adopted by the world community.

He called for greater sense of fairness and justice in global approaches to dealing with the problem of climate change.