Friday, October 7 2005 17:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Asserting that terrorism constitutes a global threat and must be rooted out, India has said it is determined to confront challenges posed by the scourge and overcome them 'decisively and completely.'

The call by an Indian delegate to the United Nations Inder Jit came almost simultaneously as New York City was put on high alert following specific threat that its underground local train system could be a target of terrorist attack in the coming days.

Terrorism, he stressed, constitutes global threat and undermines freedom and democracy. Therefore, counter-terrorism effort must not be confined to specific individuals or groups. Nor should it deal with superficial symptoms of the malaise.

The efforts, he told a General Assembly's committee yesterday (Oct 6, 2005), must concentrate on a 'thorough and systematic destruction' of this phenomenon.

"Terrorism must be rooted out of its roots, its support bases destroyed and its diverse manifestation across the world addressed appropriately."

There can be no compromise on war against terror, he said, adding India was determined to confront the challenges posed by it 'decisively and completely.'

Without naming Pakistan but obviously referring to it, Inder Jit charged 'a few States' with flouting the world body's directive against providing moral, material, and financial and logistic sponsorship as also arms to terrorists.

"States must ensure that their territories are not used for terrorist installations or training camps or for preparation or organizations of terrorist acts intended to be committed against other states or their citizens," he said.