India vowed to strengthen the global legal framework in the fight against terrorism after being entrusted with the responsibility of heading a key UN Security Council committee on counter-terrorism.

“Given its experience in the fight against menace of terrorism over more than two decades, India, during its chairmanship of the CTC, will work to further strengthen the international legal framework for counter-terrorism,” India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Ambassador to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri was elected as the Chairman of the Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee.

“India will endeavor to increase international cooperation in the fight against terrorism by the UN member-states uniformly and without exception,” the statement said.

“India will also seek to enhance cooperation among various international institutions and national authorities engaged in fighting terrorism that will help strengthen the implementation of best practices globally and will give adequate assistance for capacity-building of nation-states is fighting terrorism,” said the Indian Mission.

Elected for a two-year term, Puri would chair the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee.

He replaces Ertugrul Apakan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkey, whose term expired on 31st December 2010.

The Counter Terrorism Committee, comprising all 15 Security Council members, is tasked with monitoring the implementation of resolution 1373, which requested all countries to implement a number of measures intended to enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world.

These measures include criminalise the financing of terrorism, freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism, deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups, suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists and share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts.

It is also requests all countries to cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in such acts; and criminalize active and passive assistance for terrorism in domestic law and bring violators to justice.

The committee is assisted in its work by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), which also coordinates the process of monitoring the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001).

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea oversees the implementation of various measures, including arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze, against the listed individuals and entities.

“Given the continuing security and political problems in the region, India will seek to actively promote full implementation of these measures,” the Indian Mission said.

“India will bring its wide experiences in nation-building as well as those of its Navy in the fight against piracy to further international cooperation so that Somalia does not become safe haven for terrorists and pirates rather returns to normalcy and stability as early as possible,” the statement said.