Proposing an 8-point Action Plan for UNSC, Jaishankar said some States were clearly guilty of aiding and supporting terrorism

There can be "no ifs and buts" in the global fight against terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, calling on the world to "summon the political will" to fight the threat.

Proposing an eight-point Action Plan in the global fight against terrorism, EAM Jaishankar said, "It is time that all nations walk the talk and commit their actions to the goal of zero tolerance for terrorism".

He was speaking at the UNSC Open Debate on "Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts" hosted by Tunisia to mark 20 years of the landmark resolution in the global fight against terrorism after the 9/11 terror attacks.

Pointing out that preventing terrorists from accessing financial resources was crucial to successfully countering the threat of terrorism, he conceded that some states lacked the legal and operational frameworks and technical expertise needed to detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist financing cases.

But there were other States that were "clearly guilty of aiding and supporting terrorism, and wilfully provide financial assistance and safe havens," Jaishankar said, appealing to the international community to call them out and hold them accountable".

Terrorism continued to be the gravest threat to mankind and attacked the "very foundations of humanity", he said, warning against attempts to "justify terrorism" or "glorify terrorists". Coming out strongly against "double standards," Jaishankar said "terrorists are terrorists... there is no good or bad distinction".

During his address, he also sought greater transparency and warned against placing blocks on listing and delisting requests without reason.

Here's a summary of the eight-point Action Plan outlined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar:

1. Summon the political will. Don’t justify terrorism. Don’t glorify terrorists

2. No double standards. Terrorists are terrorists. No good or bad distinction.

3. Don’t place blocks and holds on listing requests without reason.

4. Discourage exclusivist thinking.

5. Enlist and delist objectively, not on political or religious considerations.

6. Recognise the linkage to organised crime.

7. Support & strengthen FATF.

8. Provide greater funding to UN Counter Terrorism.