Terrorists Exploit Social Media: Sitharaman at 4th ASEAN Meeting

A bilateral meeting between Mattis and Sitharaman will take place on the sidelines of the ADMM meeting.

From left, Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne, Brunei Darussalam Defense Minister Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Cambodian Defense Minister Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan, Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, and Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, link arms for a photo session at the two-day ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting and its Dialogue Partners

(Photo: AP)

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Global Strategic and Security Situation Pose Fresh Threats: Nirmal Sitharaman

Terrorism and radicalisation through social media pose a "serious" security challenge to all countries and a strong collective action is required to fight the "scourge", Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.

She also said the global strategic and security situation was constantly evolving and had thrown up fresh and serious challenges.

"The defence and security scenario in our shared region has also witnessed significant changes recently. Our countries now need to simultaneously prepare for traditional (military) and non-traditional threats," she said.

Terming terrorism a "trans-national phenomena" which needed strong collective action, Sitharaman praised the Philippines for resolutely addressing the threat posed by terrorists in the southern part of the country.

New developments in social media and cyberspace have expanded the threat, as these are exploited by terrorists to develop less visible but lethal ways and means of manipulating minds of the people.

Minister of Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman

"I wish to commend the Philippines for reiterating India's zero tolerance for terrorism anywhere and under any circumstances. There are no good terrorists," she said.

Sitharaman said the transnational activism of terrorist groups and the "spectre" of returning foreign fighters as well as the conduct of irresponsible states that provide safe havens, funding and even encouragement to terrorist groups all needed to be addressed jointly and comprehensively.

rorism anywhere is a threat everywh

"India has taken resolute measures to fight the scourge of terrorism from across its borders. We fully recognise the role of joint mechanisms with our partners and the role of international and regional forums in fighting this menace”, she said.

"The recent, BRICS Summit Declaration condemning all forms of terrorism and identifying a number of terrorist organisations engaged in dastardly acts was a positive step...

We should be clear and unequivocal in our condemnation of terrorism," she was quoted as saying in the statement.

Sitharaman said the maritime security was another key concern and India supports freedom of navigation, overflight and commerce throughout the region.

"Nations should resolve maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law. We support a rules based order for oceans and sea that is critical for the continued growth and development of the Indo-Pacific region," she said.

Sitharaman also said that the nuclear and missile tests conducted by North Korea were in violation of its international commitments and have triggered serious concern.

"India has deplored these tests. We remain concerned about the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies which has adversely impacted India's national security and that of the entire region.

"It is important that North Korea's proliferation linkages are investigated and those who have supported its nuclear and missile programme are held accountable," she said.

Updated at:24th Oct, 2017 at 4:37 PM

• Nirmala Sitharaman embarked on her first foreign trip as Defence Minister
  
• She is attending the ASEAN conference in the Philippines till 25 October
  
• Sitharaman will meet US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on the sidelines of ASEAN
  

Updated at:24th Oct, 2017 at 2:45 AM

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Mattis to Meet Sitharaman in the Philippines

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis will meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in the Philippines this week at a conference of ASEAN defence ministers, the top Pentagon leader said on Monday.

The bilateral meeting between Mattis and Sitharaman would take place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers' Meeting in the Philippines that begins today and ends on 25 October.

I will have meetings while I’m in the Philippines at the ASEAN meeting with regional counterparts, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines of course, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Jim Mattis

This would be the first meeting between the two leaders after Mattis' successful trip to India last month.

Updated at:24th Oct, 2017 at 2:45 AM

South Asian Defence Ministers Likely to Review China's Territorial Assertiveness

Nirmala Sitharam is on her first foreign visit as defence minister in Philippines to attend a meeting of the South Asian defence ministers which is likely to review the regional security architecture including China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

During her three-day visit, Sitharaman is likely to hold bilateral talks with her counterparts from a number of countries, defence ministry officials said.

The ADMM (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting)-Plus meeting on 23 and 24 October is expected to deliberate extensively on the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, and on China's growing military presence in the disputed South China Sea.

The two-day meeting will discuss ways to enhance defence and security cooperation among the member nations to effectively counter various transnational security challenges facing the region.

Sitharaman is likely to assert India's position on the issues at the gathering.

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Updated at:24th Oct, 2017 at 2:45 AM