Terrorism Knocking at World’s Doors, United Fight Required: Indian PM Modi
On the ninth anniversary of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the victims and said nations across the world had realised that terrorism was knocking on their doors and was one of the biggest challenges confronting governments today.
In his monthly radio address “Mann ki
Baat”, Modi recalled the 26/11 terror attack and said, “A few years ago, when India used to talk about severe threats of terrorism, many people in the world were not ready to take it seriously.
“Now that terrorism is knocking at their doors, every government in the world, those who believe in humanity, governments having faith in democracy are seeing this as one of the biggest challenges.
“We in India have for the last 40 years suffered a lot due to terrorism. Thousands of innocent citizens have died.”
Mr Modi used the occasion to iterate India’s plea that the fight against terrorism required global cooperation.
“It is bent upon destroying humanitarian forces. So, not only India but all humanitarian forces will have to keep fighting unitedly to defeat the menace of terrorism,” he said.
Just a few days ago, addressing a global conference on cyberspace, the PM had stressed the need for security agencies to closely coordinate to ensure that “digital space does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation”. Referring to the Mumbai attacks that claimed the lives of 166 people, the PM said terrorism and extremism weakened India’s social matrix.
“It is an attempt to tear it apart. This is why humanitarian forces need to be more alert and this is the need of the hour,” he said Mr Modi also recalled the role of the Indian Navy in war and peace ahead of Navy Day, which will be celebrated on December 4. The PM said while most navies of the world allowed women on their warships only in later years, a large number of women played leading roles in the Chola navy about 800-900 years ago, referring to the great southern empire with a sea faring tradition. Similarly, for Armed Forces Flag Day, which is observed on December 7, Mr Modi said it was a day to take pride in, and to show respect to the country’s armed forces.
The PM said a campaign had been planned between December 1 and December 7 to spread information about the armed forces. Since November 26 is also marked as Constitution Day, Mr Modi also said it was the “duty” of all Indians to follow the Constitution, which mandates that everyone should protect the rights of the poor and backward.