G20 nations condemn terror, vow crackdown on its funding
RARE CONSENSUS Agreement reached after Modi calls for action against those supporting terrorism
The G20 group of major economies have agreed to redouble efforts to tackle the financing of extremist groups, in a rare point of agreement during a fractious summit in Germany.
The countries issued a joint statement condemning the “scourge” of terrorism funding, and praised the work already undertaken to shut off sources of finance for illicit groups.
“We underline our resolve to make the international financial system entirely hostile to terrorist financing and commit to deepening international cooperation and exchange of information,” the statement said.
The G20 nations urged countries to support the work of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a 37-member international organisation that tackles terrorist financing.
“We call on all member states to ensure that the FATF has the necessary resources and support to effectively fulfill its mandate,” they said.
The remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a concerted global crackdown on nations supporting terrorism for their political goals and named Pakistan-based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jash-e-Mohammed among major terror outfits alongside the al-Qaeda and Islamic State at the G20 Summit.
“Strong action should be taken against terror financing, and providing support and safe haven to terrorists,” he said.
He said that the real face of terrorism is many names and one thought process.