Parliamentary Panel Urges Unity with Neighbours Against Terrorism
A Parliamentary panel in India has called on the government to work together with neighboring countries to combat terrorism and promote peace and stability in the region. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, in its report on India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, highlighted the continuous threats and tensions faced by India from its immediate neighbors for over three decades. The committee stressed the need for closer cooperation among regional member states to address the activities of countries responsible for spreading instability and conducting terrorist acts.
The panel, chaired by BJP leader PP Chaudhary, expressed its support for the government’s approach in preemptively countering cross-border terrorism and maintaining a firm stance that bilateral relations should be free from terror, hostility, and violence. While the committee acknowledged the efforts made by the government in implementing the Neighbourhood First policy, it emphasized the need to address deficiencies in border infrastructure.
The committee observed that development in India’s border districts lagged behind those across the border, which hampered effective engagement with neighboring countries. To enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the border regions, the committee recommended prioritizing the development of cross-border roads, railways, inland waterways, ports, energy, telecommunication, and digital links. It urged the Ministry of External Affairs to collaborate with relevant central ministries, departments, and agencies to allocate resources and focus on regional infrastructure development.
Additionally, the committee suggested exploring the feasibility of establishing a regional development fund for connectivity infrastructure within frameworks like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
By working closely with neighboring countries and speaking in one voice against nations engaged in destabilizing activities, India aims to counter and deter terrorism effectively. The call for enhanced cooperation reflects the commitment to fostering lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The recommendation to prioritize border infrastructure development and connectivity initiatives signifies the importance of bolstering engagement with immediate neighbors. Through these measures, India seeks to strengthen regional ties and overcome the challenges posed by terrorism and instability.
