Union Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar said terrorism is a threat to peace in India and it is the worst barbaric act of violence.
Speaking after inaugurating the China Study Centre at Geo-Politics Department in Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) on Monday, Akbar said terrorism threatens the whole idea of nation.
“The terrorists believe in the faith of space. It is the challenge and sabotage for the social harmony and is the major threat to pluralistic society and nation. The pluralistic society is inbuilt in the country since ages. Pluralism is a fundamental and unchangeable right written in the Constitution.”
“India believes in the quality of faith. The country does not believe in military adventurism and intervention. The meaning of peace has always remained elusive. Insularity breaks down the sensitivity,” he said.
He said, “We ask for the common desire of prosperity. Prosperity is impossible without peace. The country is based on the pedestals of the idea for prosperity for all and not with the blocks. The fiscal policies and the development funds go to people-centric projects.”
India is at the moment where the development projects are extremely strong. The country is diplomatically and morally correct with the conviction and best ability to peace. The world is beginning to respect and is amazed by the country’s ability to a great deal of friendship across the globe, he said referring to the various visits undertaken by the prime minister all over the world and added that the message of the prime minister is extremely powerful.
Asserting that the country is emerging as a soft power, the minister maintained that the country believes in things which give life to people. The world is a family. “We have a defence ministry and we mean it,” he said.
Lauding the efforts of the women for scaling the height of empowerment, Akbar said women are becoming an essential part of the Indian economy. The 21st century India will have women at heart, he added referring to the fact that nearly 80 per cent of the Mudra beneficiaries out of 130 million are women.
Speaking about the importance of the role of academia in diplomacy, he said that diplomacy requires very close interaction with academia. The foreign policies are not confined to the chapters of a book.
“We should deal with the realities in its most nuanced form. The daily silent challenges are important. The ignorance is the worst handicap for foreign policy. We need academic help,” he said.
Lauding the higher education system in India, Akbar said that it is highly regarded and respected all over the world, especially MAHE. The world believes that the education from India not salted and sugared from any ideological base. The building up of the reputation of integrity and goodwill is important, he
felt.
MAHE VC Dr Vinod Bhat elaborated the purpose of setting up the China Study Centre. It is relevant to study the changing dimensions of China’s education system and other related issues. It has become more adventurous in setting up of universities all over the world, he added.