UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that combating terrorism must be every country’s top priority

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid respect to the victims of the 26/11 terrorist attacks at Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and underlined that terrorism is absolute evil.

Speaking at a press conference at hotel, Guterres stated, "Terror is absolute evil. There are no reasons, no pretext, no causes, and no grievances that can justify terrorism. Terrorism is absolute evil. It has no room in today's world."

The UN Secretary-General visited the Taj Mahal Hotel and laid a wreath in memory of all those who lost their lives in the deadly terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

"I feel deeply moved to be here where one of the barbaric terrorist acts in history took place where 166 people lost their lives. I want to pay tribute to the victims they are heroes of all world and I want to express my deepest condolences to their families, to their friends, to the people of India, and to all those that are coming from other parts of the world that have lost their lives in Mumbai," he said.

Additionally, he stated that every nation on earth must make combating terrorism a "global priority" and added that it is the UN's "central priority."

When reflecting on his first reform, Guterres recalled that he proposed the establishment of the office against terrorism, which is still in existence today. The office was established with the goal of working with member nations to offer the sort of procedures, guidance, and training required for all countries to be ready to be able to prevent and combat terrorist attacks at the same time.

This is the UN Secretary General's second visit to India and the first since assuming office for a second term.