New York, 20/06/2023: Marking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Nations, the officials have dedicated a solidarity tree in memory of terrorist victims in a sad ceremony that also recognised victims of the 2008 Mumbai assault.
As the third United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week took place, an annual gathering of Member States and international counter-terrorism partners, the UN hosted a solemn dedication ceremony for the UN Victims of Terrorism Solidarity Tree.
The solidarity tree is planted on the Northeast Lawn of the UN Headquarters, directly behind the Mahatma Gandhi bust, which was a gift from India to the UN and will be placed during India’s Security Council Presidency in December 2022.
Karambir Kang, a survivor of the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, spoke at the dedication ceremony about the harrowing tragedy that unfolded when 10 Pakistani terrorists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba unleashed mayhem and horror by attacking “establishments which were a symbol of my country and my city” and killing over 166 people.
According to the UN, the solidarity tree celebrates terrorist victims worldwide and symbolises the international community’s resolve to prevent and resist violent extremism and terrorism through a permanent symbol of commemoration at the UN headquarters.
