Times of Oman

Growing arc of terrorist violence is posing threat to the region: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there was a need to demonstrat­e strong and collective will to defeat terror networks that cause bloodshed and spread fear

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AMRITSAR: In a clear message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for “resolute action” not just against forces of terrorism but also against those who support, shelter, train and finance them, saying silence and inaction will only embolden terrorists and their masters.

In his address at the 6th conference of Heart of Asia, a platform to help Afghanista­n in its transition, Modi said the growing arc of terrorist violence is posing the gravest threat to the region.

“Terrorism and externally induced instabilit­y pose the gravest threat to Afghanista­n’s peace, stability and prosperity. And, the growing arc of terrorist violence endangers our entire region. As such, support for voices of peace in Afghanista­n alone is not enough.

“It must be backed by resolute action. Not just against forces of terrorism, but also against those who support, shelter, train and finance them,” Modi said.

He was speaking after jointly inaugurati­ng the annual Ministeria­l conference here along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani which is being attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz along with representa­tives of around 30 countries.

“Silence and inaction against terrorism in Afghanista­n and our region will only embolden terrorists and their masters. Our bilateral and regional commitment­s of material assistance for Afghanista­n’s developmen­t and humani- tarian needs must continue and increase,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister said there was a need to demonstrat­e strong and collective will to defeat terror networks that cause bloodshed and spread fear. Expressing India’s strong commitment to Afghanista­n’s transition, Modi said, “On India’s part, our commitment to our brave Afghan brothers and sisters is absolute and unwavering. The welfare of Afghanista­n and its people is close to our hearts and minds.”

He also called for an Afghanled, Afghan-owned and Afghancont­rolled peace process to bring stability to the country.

Calling for sustained and sincere global efforts to bring “durable peace and lasting political stability” to Afghanista­n, Modi said securing its territory and citizens from external threats must be a focus area for the “critical unfinished mission of our time”.

“We have no doubt about the scale of the challenge. But, we are equally determined to succeed,” he said, adding the results of collective efforts thus far have been hardwon, but mixed. He said there was a need to reflect with urgency on what more must be done and what must be avoided in Afghanista­n so that its citizens can self-sustain peace and economic growth. Noting that all those involved in Afghanista­n’s transition must build on the gains of the last 15 years, he said what was at stake is not just the future of Afghanista­n that has invested in a vision of developmen­t, democracy, and pluralism but the peace and stability of the entire region, and beyond.

 ?? -PTI ?? Navy personnel perform during the Navy Day celebratio­ns at Gateway of India in Mumbai on Sunday. President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday praised the Indian Navy, terming it a strong, profession­al force which would serve as a “potent instrument” of...
-PTI Navy personnel perform during the Navy Day celebratio­ns at Gateway of India in Mumbai on Sunday. President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday praised the Indian Navy, terming it a strong, profession­al force which would serve as a “potent instrument” of...
 ?? PTI ?? ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Afghanista­n’s President Ashraf Ghani, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and other delegates, poses for a group photo before the inaugurati­on of the 6th Heart of Asia Ministeria­l Conference, in...
PTI ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Afghanista­n’s President Ashraf Ghani, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and other delegates, poses for a group photo before the inaugurati­on of the 6th Heart of Asia Ministeria­l Conference, in...

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