‘Now world realising challenge of terrorism’
*Calls for tough approach in dealing with menace
NEW DELHI, Oct 13: Terrorism anywhere in the world and any form is against humanity and conflicts do not benefit anyone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and asserted that “this is time for peace and brotherhood” as a divided world cannot provide solutions to big global challenges.
Addressing the inaugural session of the ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) here, Modi called for ending the crisis in global trust and moving forward with a human-centric approach.
“Everyone is aware of what is happening in various parts of the world. The world is grappling with conflicts and confrontations, such a world full of conflicts and confrontations is not in anyone’s interest. A divided world cannot provide solutions to the big challenges before humanity,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is the time for peace, brotherhood, this is the time for moving forward together, this is the time for everyone’s development and welfare. We have to end the crisis over global trust and move forward with a human-centric approach,” he said.
While the Prime Minister did not mention any specific conflict or issue, his remarks come amid a raging war between Israel and Hamas which has already seen a large number of casualties.
Modi also called for taking a tough approach in dealing with terrorism.
“As you know India has been facing the issue of cross-border terrorism for decades. Terrorists have killed thousands of innocents in India. Near the new Parliament building, you will find the old Parliament building. About 20 years ago, terrorists had targeted our Parliament. You will be startled to know that Parliament was in session at that time,” he said.
“Terrorists wanted to take hostage, kill MPs. India has dealt with numerous such terror incidents,” he noted.
Now the world is also realising how big a challenge terrorism is for the world, Modi said.
“Terrorism, wherever it may be, for whatever reason, in whatever form, is against humanity. In such a scenario, we will have to adopt a tough approach in dealing with terrorism,” he said.
Modi said it was saddening that consensus has not been achieved on the definition of terrorism.
“Today also, in the UN, the international convention on combating terrorism is waiting for consensus,” he said and added that “enemies of humanity” are taking advantage of this approach of the world.
Prime Minister Modi’s remarks come amid the escalating violence in the Middle East after multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza and the subsequent Israeli retaliation that has left around 2,600 people dead. Israel has launched a massive counter-offensive in Gaza to avenge the attacks by Hamas.
The sudden escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hamas has triggered global concerns. Leading powers like Germany, the US, France and the UK emphasised the importance of preventing the situation from further escalation.
In his address, Modi said Parliaments and representatives across the globe will have to think about how they can work together in this fight against terrorism.
The Prime Minister also underlined that there can be no better medium than public participation to deal with the world’s challenges.
“I have always believed that governments are formed by majority, but the country is run by consensus,” he said.
Modi called for looking at the world with the sentiment of one earth, one family, one future.
In making decisions for the world, the more the participation, the bigger the impact it would make, Modi said, and added that it was with this spirit, that India proposed making the African Union a G20 member. “I am happy that all member states accepted it.”
The Prime Minister said the G20 presidency ensured festivities in India throughout the year and India landing on the moon added to the celebrations, a reference to the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
He said 100 crore voters will cast their vote next year in general elections in India and invited all P20 delegates to visit again next year to witness the polls.
India has conducted 17 general elections and over 300 state assembly polls so far and the general elections in 2019, where his party became victorious for the second time in a row, was the world’s biggest election, he noted.
Modi said the use of EVMs has boosted transparency and efficiency in the election process and results are now declared within hours of the start of counting of votes.
He also referred to the legacy of thousands of years of debates and deliberations in India and said some of our over 5,000-year-old texts also talked about such systems.
Meanwhile, The Speakers of parliaments of G20 countries today pledged to utilise their legislative, budgetary and oversight functions to play their part in combating terrorism and violent extremism.
In a joint statement adopted at the Parliament-20 Summit here, they also condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, recognising the commitment of all religions to peace.
“The unanimous adoption of the Joint Declaration at P20 Bharat exemplifies the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam. As public representatives, we pledge to collaborate for a human-centric, prosperous and harmonious future. Many congratulations to all the delegates for their support,” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who chaired the P20 Summit, said on X.
The joint statement by P20 leaders comes against the backdrop of the lingering war in Ukraine and the recent outbreak of conflict between Israel and the Hamas.
The Parliamentary leaders said terrorism constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
“We strongly condemn all terrorist acts against critical infrastructure, including critical energy facilities, and against other vulnerable targets. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” the joint statement said.
It said effective counterterrorism measures, support for the victims of terrorism and the protection of human rights were not conflicting goals, but complementary and mutually reinforcing.
“A holistic approach on the basis of international law can effectively counter terrorism. Efforts to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation should be strengthened to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment, as well as financial, material or political support,” the joint statement said.
“In the light of our legislative, budgetary and oversight functions, we pledge to play our role in combating terrorism and violent extremism,” it said. (PTI)
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