India Calls for Global Unity Against Cross-Border Terrorism at CICA Summit
At the 7th CICA Summit in Baku, India calls for global unity against cross-border terrorism based on the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
In a strong diplomatic push for regional security, India has called upon the member states of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to stand together in a collective fight against cross-border terrorism. The appeal was made during the high-level 7th CICA Summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where India emphasized that peace and stability in Asia are paramount for global harmony.
The Vision of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'
Representing the nation at the plenary session, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh anchored India's stance in the ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which translates to "The World is One Family."
Taking to social media to share the highlights of his address, Minister Singh explained that this vision serves as the foundation for fostering peace, friendship, and cooperation. He argued that by viewing the world as a single family, nations can better address shared challenges, with the most pressing being the threat of terrorism that transcends national boundaries.
Diplomatic Engagements in Baku
The Union Minister's visit to the Azerbaijani capital began on Wednesday, where he was formally received by India’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar. Before the summit's proceedings commenced, Singh expressed his optimism regarding the event, stating his desire for constructive dialogues aimed at:
- Strengthening regional cooperation across the continent.
- Building deeper mutual trust between member nations.
- Advancing the overarching goals of peace, stability, and security across Asia.
Understanding CICA: A Shield for Asian Security
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) serves as a critical multinational forum. Its core mission is to bolster security and harmony throughout the Asian continent, operating under the belief that the security of Asia is inextricably linked to the stability of the entire world.
The Origins and Reach of the Forum
The framework for CICA was first proposed in 1992 by the founding President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, during the 47th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The goal was to create a reliable and dependable structure specifically dedicated to maintaining regional peace.
Today, the grouping boasts a diverse and expansive membership, including:
- South & Southeast Asia: India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
- Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
- West Asia & Middle East: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
- East Asia: China, Mongolia, South Korea.
- Others: Afghanistan, Russia.