Taking a sharp dig at Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said here on Wednesday state-sponsored terror from “governed spaces” is more dangerous than all other types of terror.

“While not without basis, what is even more dangerous is terrorism from governed spaces. In fact, terrorism actively supported and sponsored by states. To expect that an activity which draws on all the ills of the world — fanaticism, crime, bloodshed and illegal trade — will not have a corrosive impact beyond its intended arena is unrealistic,” he said.

“Nor will it spare its originators and practitioners. Ensuring zero-tolerance towards terrorism is the call of the day,” the Minister said at the Raisina Dialogue, a geopolitical conference.

Swaraj further said the challenge is even more severe in a digital age, with greater propensity to radicalisation.

Following the Twin Towers attacks of 9/11, people tend to associate terrorism with ungoverned spaces, she said. In today’s society, terrorism is the mother of all disruptions and an act of terror can threaten societies everywhere, she added.

Mother of disruptions

“Terrorism is undeniably the mother of all disruptions today. Our attitude towards it has evolved in the last few decades. There was a time when it was seen as other people’s problem or a law-and-order situation. Not just that, it was also utilised as an instrument of statecraft. That time has long gone by,” she said.

Swaraj also said that similar to terrorism, nuclear proliferation cannot be addressed effectively in a segmented manner. Fuller disclosure and greater accountability are a must.

The Third Raisina Dialogue is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation. It was inaugurated yesterday by visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

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