S Jaishankar said Internet social media platforms influential tools terrorists terror groups

New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has described terrorism as one of the most serious threats to humanity. He said this while addressing the meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in Delhi on Saturday. Jaishankar also referred to the misuse of new technology by terrorist groups. He said that internet and social media platforms have emerged as influential tools in the toolkit of terrorists and terror groups.

"In recent years, especially in open and liberal societies, terrorist groups, their ideological followers and single attackers have increased their capabilities by gaining access to these technologies," Jaishankar said. They use technology, money and most importantly the ethos of an open society to attack freedom, tolerance and progress.

'Use of unmanned aerial systems increased concern'

The External Affairs Minister said the use of unmanned aerial systems by terrorist groups and organized criminal networks has added to the concerns of governments around the world. "The apprehensions of the use of armed drones for terrorist purposes against strategic, infrastructure and commercial assets require serious attention from member states," he said.

'The threat of terrorism rising in Asia-Africa'

The Union Minister said that despite the efforts of the United Nations, the menace of terrorism is increasing, especially in Asia and Africa. “The UN Security Council over the past two decades has developed a significant framework for combating terrorism, primarily built around a counter-terrorism sanctions regime,” he said. It has been very effective to warn countries that have made terrorism a state-funded enterprise.