PM asks govts in region to take firm action against terrorism

NEW DELHI: Asserting that all democratic forces should unite to fight terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the governments of the region have a "moral duty" to take firm and expeditious action against the menace.

"In our region, there is growing awareness that terrorism and extremism pose a threat to democracy and development. Governments and authorities in our region and elsewhere have a moral duty to act firmly and quickly," he said inaugurating an international conference of jurists on Terrorism, Rule of Law and Human Rights here on Saturday.

The Prime Minister called on "all peace-loving and democratic forces" around the world to join hands in the fight against all manifestations of extremism and intolerance.

"The threat of terrorism is not divisible. The fight against it is also not divisible. The defence of freedom and peace is also not divisible," Singh said.

Thanking the international community for expressing solidarity with India in the wake of the "horrible" terror strikes in Mumbai, Singh said he had received phone calls and letters from heads of State and Government from several countries, including those from India's neighbourhood.

They have assured India that "they stand with us in our fight against terrorism," he said.