Impose costs on nations that back terror, says Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for penalising countries that support terrorism as part of their foreign policy by providing political, ideological, and financial support, making an indirect reference to Pakistan, which has harboured terror camps and outfits for decades.
Speaking during his inaugural address at the No Money for Terror (NMFT)’s third ministerial conference in New Delhi, Modi also hit out at attempts to block action against terrorists in what appeared to be criticism of China that has thwarted efforts by India to get Pakistan-based terrorists blacklisted at international forums.
“It is well known that terrorist organisations get money through several sources. One source is state support. Certain countries support terrorism as part of their foreign policy… international organisations must not think that the absence of war means peace. Proxy wars are also dangerous and violent,” Modi told the gathering of 450 delegates from 77 countries and 16 multilateral agencies.
“There must be a cost imposed upon countries that support terrorism. Organisations and individuals that try to create sympathy for terrorists must also be isolated. There can be no ifs and buts entertained in such matters,” he added.
In his nearly 25-minute speech, Modi said India is helping build momentum against terror funding and said the intensity of the reaction to different attacks cannot vary based on where it happens. “There are still certain mistaken notions about terrorism… sometimes, there are indirect arguments made in support of terrorism to block action against terrorists. There is no place for an ambiguous approach while dealing with a global threat…only a uniform, unified and zero-tolerance approach can defeat terrorism,” he said.
The PM’s comments assume significance in the context of the terror threat India faces. Pakistan has long sheltered anti-India terrorists such as Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. China has also used its power as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to veto India’s attempts to list several Pakistan-sheltered terrorists as global terrorists.
The latest such move by China was in June, when it blocked the listing of Abdul Rehman Makki, a close aide and brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed. However, India registered a major diplomatic win in May 2019, when the UN labelled Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist.
The two-day conference is being attended by delegates from 77 countries.