NEW DELHI, Jan 17: Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha spelled out a four-point plan before the European Union on Thursday to choke off the lifeline of global terrorism, a strategy that includes putting an end to what he calls remaining ambivalence towards the issue from key world players.

An Indian foreign ministry excerpt of Sinha’s address in Athens, released in New Delhi on Friday, did not name Pakistan but appeared to point to Islamabad as its quarry.

“The challenges faced by both India and the EU, a challenge that open, tolerant, multi-cultural societies like India and the EU have to face, is the one posed by international terrorism. India has been a victim of terrorism for over two decades,” Sinha said.

He claimed terrorism had killed more than 60,000 people in India during that period. The total number of terrorist related incidents from Jan 1, 1990 to Dec 31, 2002 is 55,825.

Sinha said globalization of the economy before Sept 11 was challenged by the globalization of terror after that date.

“Terrorism has now become an ideology and a new tool in the conduct of international affairs. A multi-dimensional approach is required to face the common threat,” he said.

Listing his priorities in fighting the menace, Sinha said: “We have to systematically choke off the four crucial lifelines of terrorist groups: refuge, finance, arms and any remaining ambivalence on the part of the international community.”

Obliquely targeting the freedom movement in Kashmir, Sinha said: “One of the most vital principles in the fight against terrorism, which is accepted by India and the EU alike, is that there is no justification for terrorism whatever the causes behind it.”

HE SAID: “The argument of ‘root causes’ of terrorism is self- serving. This is often given by States and groups, which sponsor and support religious extremism for their narrow territorial or ideological aims. If accepted, this would only provide legitimacy to acts of terrorism.”