New Delhi: In an indirect attack against Western neighboour Pakistan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat on Thursday said that countries which sponsor terrorism must be isolated diplomatically.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2020, Gen Rawat said, “You cannot have partners who are partnering global war on terrorism and yet sponsoring terrorism... There has to be diplomatic isolation of those sponsoring terrorism. Any country which is sponsoring terrorism has to be taken to task.”
He also said that the future of terrorism is going to be as dirty as conventional warfare. “We might think of there would be a happy ending, but there won't be. So if we think the war on terrorism is going to end, we are wrong,” the CDS said.
“So long as there are states that sponsor terrorism, there will be terrorism. We need to take the bull by its horns and strike at the root cause,” he added.
He also pitched for tough approach the way the US took on terror groups post 9/11 attacks.
“We've to bring an end to terrorism & that can only happen the way Americans started after 9/11, they said let's go on a spree on global war on terror. To do that you have to isolate the terrorists, anybody who is sponsoring terrorism has to be taken to task,” Gen Rawat said.
On curbing radicalization, Gen Rawat said it can be countered if it is in the initial stages. “It starts from schools, universities, religious places. In Kashmir radicalization among boys and girls who are 10-12 yrs. These young kids can be isolated from radicalization,” he said.
On being asked about whether he supports negotiations with the Taliban, Gen Rawat said peace talks should be initiated with everybody provided they give up the “weapon of terrorism”.
“You have to come to a peace deal with everybody (in Afghanistan) if you have to come to a peace deal with them you have to go for negotiated peace. Taliban or whichever organization is contemplating terror has to give up that weapon of terror. They must come to the political mainstream,” he added.
On creation of CDS post, he said, “CDS is the first among equals but he has got clear and well defined responsibilities. While he is the first among equals, he has some authority over the three service chiefs except on operational issues.”
“I think the task is well cut out and we will be able to function within the firm framework which has been laid out for the CDS. I don't visualize any problems. We've had meetings with the three chiefs and a lot of decisions have already been taken in past 15 days,” Gen Rawat said.
