No need to differentiate between good and bad terrorists, says Jaitley at HOA conference

India on Sunday pressed for collective efforts to ensure resurgent forces of terrorism and extremism do not find sanctuaries and safe havens in any name, form or manifestation.

Neighbours of Afghanistan have a particular responsibility in this regard, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference in Amritsar.

“There is also a need to neither differentiate between good and bad terrorists, nor to play one group against the other,” said Jaitley, who is representing an ailing External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Taliban, Haqqani Network, Al-Qaeda, Daesh, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, etc. are all terror organisations and should be treated as such, he said.

“End to terrorism and extremism, and adherence to internationally-accepted redlines including renouncing of violence, severing ties with Al Qaeda and other terrorist outfits and commitment to democracy and human rights are essential for successful reconciliation and lasting peace in Afghanistan,” said.

The theme for the Heart of Asia Process this year is ‘Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity.’

As Afghanistan faces the challenges related to its multiple transitions, focused and sustained support will be required from all friends of Afghanistan in the international community for overcoming these challenges and achieving durable peace and prosperity, he said.