New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra has expressed concerns over the failures in combating terrorism around the world and called upon young representatives and Parliaments for an inclusive approach to mitigate the enemies of humanity. The BJD MP was speaking at the 147th InterParliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly at Luanda, Angola. Patra asserted that the youth of the world are not untouched by what is happening around the world and cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the P-20 forum in New Delhi that a divided world cannot provide solutions to the major challenges faced by humanity. “This is a time for growth and wellbeing of all. We have to overcome the global trust deficit and move forward on human-centric thinking. We have to look at the world in the spirit of One Earth, One Family, One Future,” Patra said, adding that in this spirit, Bharat proposed to make the African Union a permanent member of the G20. He spoke on the menace of terrorism at the IPU and asserted that, “Bharat has been adversely affected by terrorism for decades.” He said terrorists have killed thousands of innocent people in Bharat and they even targeted the Parliament, when it was in session, around 20 years ago. “It is very sad that there is no consensus on the definition of terrorism. Even today, the International Convention on Combating Terrorism is waiting for consensus in the United Nations. The enemies of humanity are taking advantage of this attitude of the world. Parliaments and young representatives around the world will have to think about how we can work together in this fight against terrorism,” Patra said. The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments. The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers Parliaments and Parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development around the world.
KULDEEP SINGH, OP