Heart of Asia: Amritsar declaration calls for elimination of Terror

 Heart of Asia: Amritsar declaration calls for elimination of Terror Combating terrorism was at the centre-stage of Heart of Asia conference which concluded on Sunday in Amritsar. The Amritsar Declaration, unanimously adopted at the Sixth Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, called for dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens in the region, as well as disrupting all

financial, tactical and logistical support for terror networks.Besides, strengthening connectivity with Afghanistan was a core issue in the multilateral deliberations.

Intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, ways to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and boosting regional connectivity for Afghanistan's economic growth were some of the major focus areas during two day's deliberations at the Heart of Asia conference.

Addressing joint press conference with Afghanistan Deputy Foreign Minister after the conclusion of Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Amritsar Declaration recognised terrorism as the biggest threat to peace and demanded immediate end to all forms of terrorism.

The Amritsar Declaration called for dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens in the region, as well as disrupting all financial, tactical and logistical support for terror networks.

The Amritsar Declaration called for intensifying efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations through solidarity and collective action.

The Declaration also sought early finalization of the draft on Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

For the first time, the Heart of Asia Declaration expressed concern at the violence caused in Afghanistan and the region by terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, Daesh, LeT and JeM and others.

The conference, whose theme was 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity', also deliberated on major connectivity initiatives including Chabahar project.

Reiterating India's firm commitment to boost connectivity and linkages with Afghanistan, Arun Jaitley said that New Delhi is quite open about the possibility of both road and rail linkages with Afghanistan. 

The two-day conference was attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.