Paris terror triggers outrage, India bolsters security outside French missions

LONDON: Barely minutes after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rounded up his eloquent oration at the iconic Wembley stadium in London, multiple terror attacks rippled across Paris, killing more than 120 people. The attacks elicited an anguished response from Mr Modi, who joined the world leaders in condemning the “barbaric terrorist attacks in Paris in the strongest terms.”

“More than hundred people lost their lives while they were doing what they loved, or spending time with their loved ones. We feel the shock, pain and outrage of the people of France. India stands firmly with the great people of France in dealing with this tragedy,” said the Indian prime minister. “And we must stand together as humanity in combating the major global threat of our times and to uphold our values and our way of life,” he said.

Indian authorities promptly bolstered security outside all French diplomatic missions in India. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for terror attacks that left more than 200 people injured, and killed over 120 people.

The serial terror attacks have horrified France, which is bracing to host the global climate summit in Paris starting November 30. French President Francois Hollande had vowed to retaliate the killings of innocent French citizens and declared a state of emergency. He also cancelled his visit to Turkey to attend the G20 summit of the world’s major and emerging economies. Mr Modi left for the Antalya sea resort to attend the G20 summit after wrapping up his three-day visit to the UK on November 13.

Paris has conveyed appreciation for New Delhi’s solidarity in the aftermath of the savage terror strike.

“France is grateful to the Hon’ble President of India and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for their messages of solidarity and friendship,” said French ambassador to India François Richier in New Delhi.

So far there have been no reports of any Indian in the casualties. The French Embassy is also facilitating immediate visas to journalists who wish to visit France.

The latest wave of barbarism to have struck the French capital should prod the world’s leading powers to join hands and flesh out concrete mechanisms to deal with the spectre of Islamic State. India and France enjoy robust multi-faceted counter-terror cooperation, which is set to acquire an added urgency in the wake of Paris’s 13/11 attacks.

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Manish Chand

Manish Chand is Founder-CEO and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) and India and World, a pioneering magazine focused on international affairs. He is CEO/Director of TGII Media Private Limited, an India-based media, publishing, research and consultancy company.