A global tribute to the victims of terror. A united front against the scourge of terrorism.
The UN Security Council gathers at the 26/11 Memorial in Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. A rare occasion when the UN Security Council meets outside New York. The meeting provides opportunities to discuss existing and evolving threats, the deployment of new and emerging technology to counter those threats, continuing challenges, and good practices, as well as a range of related human rights and gender considerations.
Before the meeting the committee members paid homage to the 26/11 victims. Speaking after paying tributes, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said, 14 years ago the city of Mumbai witnessed the most shocking terror attack of our times and the city was held hostage due to terrorists from across the border. He said India has endeavoured to bring the perpetrators and masterminds of the 26/11 attack to justice. Dr. S Jaishankar said the task remains unfinished. He said, 26/11 will never ever be forgotten.
S Jaishankar said that terrorism is a serious threat to humanity. “We heard the voices of survivors. It is incumbent on us to persevere and bring perpetrators to justice,” he said. He presented a wreath at the 26/11 memorial as well. Bringing the focus of the gathering on the 26/11 perpetrators, the External Affairs minister said that the key perpetrators of the attack still remain protected under political support and shadow. He also laid emphasis on effectively tackling the issue of terror financing.
Various dignitaries from across the world attended the session. UN Security General António Guterres presented a recorded video speech and expressed his solidarity with the efforts being put in to counter terrorism activities across the world. The Committee heard moving stories of the victims who survived the horrific attacks in Mumbai 2008 and Brussels 2016. Some 26/11 survivors and other terrorist attack survivors were also invited to the event. Devika Rotwan, a Mumbai-based 26/11 survivor, said that the UN needs to make the strictest of laws against terrorism and that she will only have a sense of justice and relief when terrorism is wiped out from the face of the earth.
