HAMBURG, July 7: Naming Pakistan-based terror groups LeT and JeM, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said some countries were using terror as a tool to achieve political objectives and pressed for “deterrent” action collectively by the G-20 members against such nations.
Addressing the G-20 Summit in this German city, he equated Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad as also the Haqqani network to ISIS and Al-Qaeda, saying their names may be different but their ideology is the same.
With leaders like US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping listening, Modi regretted that the international response to terrorism was weak and said more cooperation was needed to fight the menace.
The Indian Prime Minister presented an 11-point ‘Action Agenda’ which included suggestions for exchange of lists of terrorists among G-20 nations, easing and expediting of legal processes like extradition and concrete steps to choke funds and weapon supply to the terrorists.
“Some nations are using terrorism for achieving political goals,” Modi said in a clear reference to Pakistan.
He said LeT, JeM and the Haqqani network terror groups were active in South Asia like Daesh (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda were in the Middle East and Boko Haram in Nigeria.
While LeT and JeM have been targeting India, the Haqqani network has been repeatedly carrying out attacks in Afghanistan, including on Indian assets there.
“Their only ideology is to spread hatred and commit massacres,” Modi said.
Regretting that the international response to terrorism has been “weak”, Modi said the nations are less networked in dealing with the menace while the terrorists are better networked.
In the ‘Action Agenda’, the Prime Minister suggested, “there should be a deterrent action against nations supporting terrorism and officials of such nations should be barred from entry into G-20 member countries.”
He said there should be an exchange of lists of terrorists among the G-20 member countries and a collective action against supporters of terror.
“The legal processes like extradition should be simplified and expedited for effective cooperation against terrorism,” he said.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other mechanisms to choke sources of of funds to terrorists should be strengthened, he said.
On the pattern of FATF, a body Explosives Action Task Force (EATF) should be constituted “so that the sources of deadly arms reaching the terrorists can be ended,” he added.
Modi also pitched for concrete cooperation among the G-20 countries with focus on cyber security.
Amid increased tension between India and China on developments near Sikkim, Modi “appreciated” momentum in the BRICS bloc under the Chinese chairmanship and extended full cooperation for the grouping’s upcoming summit to be hosted by Beijing.
Speaking at an informal meeting of BRICS leaders here on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi also called upon the group leaders to show leadership in fighting terrorism and boosting global economic growth.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking right after Modi, also appreciated the momentum witnessed at the BRICS bloc during India’s chairmanship before it was passed on to China.
The leaders of five BRICS countries — which also included Russia’s Vladimir Putin — discussed preparedness and priorities for the forthcoming 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China, in September.
Xi said he looked forward to welcoming the BRICS leaders.
Modi said BRICS has been a strong voice and needs to show leadership on terrorism and global economy, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after the meeting.
“G20 should collectively oppose terrorism financing, franchises, safe havens, support and sponsors,” Modi said.
Referring to the reforms in India, including the recent introduction of GST, he stated that it is necessary to work together for sustained global economic recovery.
He advocated collective voice against the practices of protectionism, especially in the spheres of trade and movement of knowledge and professionals.
Besides, Modi reiterated India’s commitment to implementing the Paris agreement in letter and spirit and described its implementation globally as essential to fighting climate change.
He called for expeditious action to establish a BRICS rating agency and stated that cooperation on development of Africa should be a priority.
While stressing on the need for greater people-to-people exchanges, the prime minister appreciated momentum in BRICS under the chairmanship of Xi and extended full cooperation and best wishes for the BRICS Xiamen Summit.
Modi started his speech by thanking Xi for his welcome and hosting the meeting. “Under Xi’s chairmanship, the progress and positive momentum of BRICS has further deepened our cooperation,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister, who spoke in Hindi, also said “lastly, I extend my best wishes and full cooperation to President Xi Jinping for the upcoming ninth BRICS Summit”.
China and India have been engaged in a stand-off in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan tri-junction after a Chinese Army’s construction party attempted to build a road. The stand-off is near Sikkim section.
Concluding the meeting immediately after the Prime Minister’s remarks, Xi appreciated India’s strong resolve against terrorism and the momentum in BRICS introduced under India’s chairmanship and through the outcomes of the Goa Summit in 2016.
He also appreciated India’s success in economic and social development and wished India even bigger success.
Besides India and China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa are part of the BRICS grouping. (PTI)
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