SAARC ministers called for collective action against Terrorism

Bandos Island: Interior and Home Ministers of the eight-member SAARC group on Wednesday called for collective action in fighting the terrorism in its entirety.

The fifth meeting of the SAARC Home/Interior Ministers, which concluded here on Wednesday discussed ways to combat terrorism, piracy and trafficking in narcotics.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde represented India at the meeting.

The grouping called for the need to induce collective wisdom of the nations of SAARC in deciding practical measures to fight terrorism and transnational organised crime.

The delegations from the member states briefed the meeting on the actions being taken by them to implement the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol, including the enactment of enabling legislations at the national level to give effect to the provisions of these instruments.

The Ministers also deliberated on the defamation of religion and adopted a statement in this regard.

In his inaugural address, Maldives’ Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen said that SAARC was embarking on highlighting one of the most important issues that face all the nations of the world — its security.

“Security on Wednesday, internal and external, is most important, especially in the high seas. Security of each nation is extremely important for their independence and to remain as a sovereign state. Therefore this meeting of Ministers of Interior and Home is very crucial at this moment, when the whole world is in turmoil,” he said.