Almaty (Kazakhstan): Describing terrorism as the common threat to all Asian countries, India today (Oct 22, 2004) said eliminating the menace through a "comprehensive and sustained effort" should be the "foremost common concern" for all nations.

Addressing the annual Ministerial Meeting of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Kazakhstan, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, said India was committed to strengthening the global campaign against terrorism and underlined the need for all countries to "go beyond the old ideologies and ways of thinking".

"The common threat to the security of our peoples and States is international terrorism. How we deal with it will affect our collective future," he told the meeting of 16-member grouping of Asian countries.

"Our foremost common concern should be to root out this menace through a comprehensive and sustained effort," Singh said.

He underlined that "the current threats and emerging challenges require a cooperative approach based on the principles of inclusiveness and equal security." India, he said, had actively sought to "strengthen and deepen" its relationship with all the countries in its extended neighbourhood.

"Our engagement is reflective of the constructive contribution that India can make to peace and stability in Asia and globally," the Minister said.