Mahe (Seychelles): India on September 10 said the phenomenon of international terrorism is the greatest security challenge before the entire world and New Delhi is determined to fight and eliminate the cross-border terrorism faced by it.

"India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for more than two decades. This has added new dimension to the increasing responsibilities of defence forces" of India and Seychelles, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat told the Syechelles Defence Academy in Mahe.

While a new world order was fast emerging, Shekhawat, who is on a five-day visit to Seychelles, said the global environment for peace and harmony was still fragile.

On the one hand, there were challenges of poverty and under-development in most parts of the world and on the other, there were growing threats to democracy arising from the forces bent upon subverting the very process of development, he said.

Assuring all possible assistance to Seychelles to help its Defence forces attain a high degree of efficiency and preparedness, he said, "We wish to share our resources and technology for the peace and stability of your country and the well being of its inhabitants".

Stating that India had been an active contributor to the peacekeeping operations in the Continent as part of its commitment to African peace and stability, he said both the countries Defence forces should join hands to strengthen solidarity between India and Africa.

PTI