India urges UNHRC to maintain sustained attention on terrorism

At the United Nations General Assembly, India has called on the Human Rights Council to maintain sustained attention to the threat of terrorism, describing it as one of the most serious obstacles to the right to life and human rights.

Bhavika Mangalanandan, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, emphasized that terrorism undermines fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the territorial integrity of nations. She advocated for a zero-tolerance approach and urged the international community to enhance cooperation to prevent and combat terrorist activities.

India also cautioned against the politicization and weaponization of human rights. Mangalanandan argued that human rights should be advanced through dialogue, capacity-building, and genuine partnerships rather than through selectivity or double standards. Furthermore, India stressed that economic, social, and cultural rights deserve equal attention to civil and political rights, noting that poverty and limited access to technology remain significant barriers for the Global South.