The task of bringing the masterminds and perpetrators to justice remains unfinished, he said

Key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks continue to remain protected and go unpunished, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

Speaking at Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal Hotel during the informal inaugural session of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee's special meeting, EAM Jaishankar noted that the "ghastly attacks" on Mumbai would have its 14th anniversary next month.

The hotel was one of the targets of the 26/11 terrorist attacks. Foreign Ministers, delegates, and senior UN officials attending the meeting paid homage to those killed in the 26/11 attacks at the memorial at the Taj Mahal Hotel lobby.

"While one of the terrorists was captured alive, prosecuted, and convicted by the highest court in India, the key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished," he said, without naming Pakistan

EAM Jaishankar was delivering the inaugural address at the 'Informal briefing on combating terrorism financing in local and regional contexts'.

"When it comes to proscribing some of these terrorists, the Security Council has regrettably been unable to act in some cases because of political considerations. This undermines our collective credibility and our collective interests," he added.

According to him, the attack on Mumbai was also an attack on the world community.

In his address, EAM Jaishankar recalled how the UN Security Council met and in one voice condemned this act of cross-border terrorism as the Mumbai terrorist attacks were unfolding on November 28, 2008.

Quoting the proceedings, he said, "The Members of the Council "underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States to cooperate with the Indian authorities in this regard. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation”.

"Since then, we have endeavoured to bring the masterminds and perpetrators of this attack to justice. This task remains unfinished. Therefore, the coming together of the UNSC’s Counter Terrorism Committee to this venue is both special and significant," he added.

The attendance of the UNSC members at the meeting illustrates the dedication that each of them, their nations, and all other interested parties from different organizations have demonstrated to battling the widespread threat of terrorism, he pointed out.

"It expresses too our collective resolve at strengthening the multilateral efforts led by the United Nations to address this threat holistically and collectively," he added.

He pointed out that terrorism poses a major danger to world peace and security and to all of mankind. He also said that the victims' voices had been heard today and that their loss was immeasurable and could never be made up.

Maintaining that the real tribute to the victims will be to "rededicate ourselves" to combating and eliminating the menace of terrorism, EAM Jaishankar said, "We must rise above our political differences to address this scourge".

He emphasized that the battle against terrorism must be fought resolutely at all fronts, all situations and all places. "We cannot be found wanting in our efforts. As the UN Secretary General stated, 'Terrorism is pure evil, one with which we can never compromise'," he concluded.

The theme of the meeting is 'Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes'. The meeting will continue in New Delhi on Saturday.