Combating external forces supporting terror strikes top priority for India: Mukherjee

Asserting that the challenges to India's security can come from many sources, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said there is a need to fight against terrorism that receives support from outside the country.

Addressing that annual IB Centenary Endowment Lecture here, Mukherjee said: "Both state and non-state actors inimical to the nation are continuously engaged in efforts to destabilize India. Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is another serious threat to social peace and harmony. The rapid change in technology has also resulted in new threats."

"The misuse of the social media is now a weapon that terrorists across the world and anti-nationals are employing with greater sophistication. This has to be combated adopting superior tactics and technology," he added.

He said: "As new challenges emerge, we would also need to upgrade our skills and technological capabilities. For the security personnel to effectively counter these threats, timely and reliable intelligence is of utmost value".

Mukherjee further reiterated that India has a date to keep with destiny and complimented the Intelligence Bureau for organizing the lecture every year and contributing to the public discourse on important issues.