S/PV.5298 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of India, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Malhotra (India) took a seat at the Council table.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council strongly condemns the series of bomb attacks that occurred in New Delhi, India, on 29 October 2005, causing numerous deaths and injuries, and expresses its deepest condolences to the victims of these heinous acts of terrorism and their families, and to the people and the Government of India. “The Security Council stresses the importance of bringing the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of violence to justice, and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), to cooperate actively with the Indian authorities in this regard. “The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. “The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. “The Security Council reiterates its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2005/53. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. Before adjourning, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the ministers and representatives who have participated in today’s meetings.