New Delhi: The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Friday said that Britain condemns all terrorism and will work with India and other partners to try and prevent an attack the 26/11 Mumbai attack from happening again.
He also said that depriving terrorists of funds to carry out such attacks, maintain their network, and recruit new members is one of the most effective tools against them.
He was speaking at a special meeting on ‘Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes’. The first leg of the event is being held at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in south Mumbai. This hotel was one of the places attacked by terrorists during the November 2008 attacks.
ALSO READ | Key Conspirators Of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Remain Protected, Unpunished: S Jaishankar
Speaking about the attack, he said, “Today we remember the 166 people who were killed when terrorists attacked Mumbai in 2008 and the countless others who were injured in that attack. I express my deepest condolences to the victims and their families.”
“Among them were three British nationals and on behalf of His Majesty’s govt, I honour and remember them today,” the UK Foreign Secretary added, as quoted by news agency ANI.
He stressed the importance of remaining united and steadfast in efforts to defeat global terrorism saying, “This morning reminds us of the human cost and global impact of terrorism. It reminds us why we must remain united and steadfast in our efforts to defeat it.”
“14 years ago, the UNSC condemned all acts of terrorism regardless of their motivation and pledged to combat this threat to international peace and security. The UK’s determination to honour that pledge remains unwavering,” James Cleverly emphasised, as reported by ANI.
The British official also added that the issue was not just about vigilance and security focussed on those that carry out terrorism. “We know that depriving terrorists of funds to carry out such attacks, funds to maintain their network, and funds to recruit new members is one of the most effective tools against them,” he stated.
Speaking to the media, he termed the relationship between the United Kingdom and India as being long and intimate. “Today I am here with other representatives from around world remembering the terrible terrorist attack that was witnessed in Mumbai in 2008. The UK condemns all terrorism. We will work with India, our international friends, and partners to try and prevent an attack like the one we saw in Mumbai from ever happening again,” the UK Foreign Secretary said.
#WATCH | UK condemns all terrorism. We’ll work with India, our international friends & partners to try & prevent an attack like we saw in Mumbai from happening again: UK Foreign Secy, James Cleverly, at UNSC Spl Meeting of Counter-Terrorism Committee at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai pic.twitter.com/BEEg7EeBvd
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2022
Key Conspirators & Planners Of 26/11 Attacks Continue To Remain Protected & Unpunished: S Jaishankar
Earlier, addressing the event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished, which undermined the collective credibility.
“The key conspirators and the planners of 26/11 terror attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished,” Jaishankar said.
This undermines the collective credibility and collective interest, he added.
Jaishankar said the “shocking” terror attack was an attack not just on Mumbai, but on the international community.
“In fact, this entire city was held hostage by terrorists, who had entered from across the border,” he said without naming Pakistan.
Jaishankar, Michael Moussa, Gabonese Foreign Minister and president of the UNSC along with the members from the international community paid tributes to the victims who lost their lives in the 26/11 terror attacks.