India will no longer silently witness terror attacks on it, will take resolute steps: Govt

Asserting that there is no county in the region which has not faced challenges of terrorism leading to the loss of innumerable lives, the minister said however, there is "only one country, which has willingly embraced terrorism as a defining feature of its regional engagement".

"It (Pakistan) has become its epicentre, architect and exporter. Radicalisation is an integral ingredient of terrorism, it knows no boundaries and doesn't recognise nationalities. In that sense radicalisation, one of major causes of terrorism, is growing in our region and we must all join hands against it," he added.

Referring to increasing terror threats to India, Muraleedharan said New Delhi has tried to escalate this at international level as also include the agenda under its neighbourhood first policy engagement.

"This cooperation becomes most useful, effective and critical, particularly when the challenges faced are regional and at times global. It is at such critical time that vested interest attempts to ensure that manifestation of response remains weak and local. Such threats tend to exploit cleavages and cracks across boundaries and within societies, often at the cost of human lives and prosperity," he added.

Elaborating on India's 'neighbourhood first policy', the minister said the Prime Minister has always emphasised that India's neighbourhood is most critical for country's future and the world.

India's relationship with its neighbours is collectively most important component of India's foreign policy, he said, adding the policy covers 5C's, including collective cooperation, capacity-building and connectivity.