Weak states are a threat to neighbourhood: Tharoor

Amid serious concerns in India over terrorism emanating from Pakistan, Union minister Shashi Tharoor today warned that "weak or failing" states which are unable to check the menace pose a threat to countries in the neighbourhood.
   
"Weak or failing states are a threat to their immediate neighbours," he said while addressing a function organised by the Indian Council for World Affairs.
       
Terming terrorism as a "tragic blight" of our times, Tharoor said India's growth story could be seriously affected by the failure of neighbouring countries to check extremism and terrorism.
   
India sees its own security "in the promotion of the security and prosperity of our neighbours".
    
He asserted that issues such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conflicts will remain key concerns for the international community in near future.
   
The global community will also have to take note of terrorists being well conversant in sophisticated technology as seen in the 26/11 attacks where they used GPS systems.
    
The minister also made a strong pitch for early expansion of the United Nations Security Council, both in permanent and non-permanent categories.
   
He pointed out that countries such as India, which has staked its claim for a permanent seat, "wish to be given a place on the global high table".
   
"Without that, they would be unlikely to volunteer to share the primary burden for dealing with such issues as climate change, proliferation, and energy security which concern all of us."