New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday highlighted at the 19th meeting of Secretaries of the Security Councils of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries in Kazakhastan's capital city Astana that perpetrators of terrorism should be effectively and expeditiously dealt with including those involved in cross-border terrorism. NSA Ajit Doval, who led the Indian delegation at the Secretaries of the Security Councils of SCO member countries, also called for shunning double standards in combating the menace. Doval, while talking about the threat of terrorism also spoke on various ways to improve the security situation of the nations.

In an address at a security conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here in the Kazakh capital, he also underlined the need for holding accountable the sponsors, financiers and facilitators of terrorism, in remarks that came amid Pakistan's continuing support to various terror groups.

NSA Ajit Doval also called on President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Togayev

Later, the NSA also called on Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, the president of Kazakhstan, along with representatives of other member states.

An official statement was later released pertaining to the NSA address at the conclave. In his address, Doval strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall in Russia’s Moscow on March 22, which killed over 140 people and conveyed his condolences and India's solidarity with the Russian government and citizens to address the threat from terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

He pointed out that any act of terror including cross-border terrorism committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever motives is not justified.

Doval raised the issue of the continued threat posed by various terror groups in the SCO region, including those designated by the UN Security Council such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Al Qaeda and its affiliates and ISIS, sources said.

He said India is committed to enhancing transit trade and connectivity asserting that such initiatives must be fully respectful of sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO member states.

The comments came in the face of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) facing increasing criticism over lack of transparency and disregard for the sovereignty of nations.

The National Security Advisor strongly condemned the barbaric terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22 and expressed condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones.

Doval conveyed to Russian NSA Patrushev, India's solidarity with the government and the people of Russia to address the threat from terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

He pointed out that any act of terror including cross-border terrorism committed by whomsoever, wherever and for whatever motives is not justified, according to the sources.

Need to counter the use of technology by terrorists: Ajit Doval

Perpetrators of terrorism should be effectively and expeditiously dealt with including those involved in cross-border terrorism, he said.

Doval emphasised the need to counter the use of technology by terrorists including drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs.

India supports the creation of an effective mechanism for cooperation within RATS-SCO for countering terror financing and supports its further strengthening, he said.

In his remarks, Doval expressed deep concern for the security situation in Afghanistan including the continued presence of terrorist networks.

He noted that as a contiguous neighbour of Afghanistan, India has legitimate security and economic interests in Afghanistan.

Doval reiterated India's commitment to further deepening its relationship with SCO

Doval also conveyed that the SCO's immediate priorities in Afghanistan include providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring the formation of a truly inclusive and representative government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking and preserving the rights of women, children and minorities.

India has invested USD three billion in Afghanistan and supplied 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 250 tonnes of medical aid and supplied 40,000 litres of Malathion pesticide to fight the locust menace.

In the meeting of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the secretaries of the security councils of the SCO member states, Doval conveyed India’s support for Kazakh initiatives in the grouping and for a successful presidency.

India is committed to further deepening its relationship with SCO and member states proactively and constructively, Doval said.

Security is India's priority in the SCO as elaborated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in line with his vision for a SECURE SCO, he noted.

The acronym SECURE stands for Security, Economic Cooperation, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity, and Environment Protection.

Doval emphasised that India's relationship with SCO countries goes back several centuries and it is committed to further deepening it.