Delink religion from terrorism, urges PM Modi

Warning that terrorism is the “biggest threat” to the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it should be delinked from religion as he pitched for new global anti-terror strategies while ensuring that no country (a veiled reference to Pakistan) gives sanctuary to it.

He underlined the need to ensure that the Internet does not become a “recruiting ground” for terrorism amid the growing trend of the ISIS luring youth from across the globe. He spoke about the world coming together to use “military force” and “international legal systems” to fight the menace.

He referred to the recent attacks in Paris, Ankara, Mali, and on the Russian plane, and said terrorism is not a “peripheral problem” for the Asian region but its shadow stretches across the world, both in recruitment and choice of targets.

Mr Modi, while addressing the East Asian Summit, spoke to the Indian diaspora on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia and stressed the need for working “within our societies and with our youth” to counter terrorism.

When asked about “intolerance”, he said that India draws strength from its diversity and that his government is working to create an environment where enterprise flourishes and everybody gets basic needs like roof, sanitation, water, health care and education.

In his 45-minute speech at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre here, he said development in India is “gathering speed now” amid the global slowdown and the country is growing at 7.5 per cent with faster growth expected in the coming years.

Talking about terrorism, the Prime Minister said it is the “biggest threat to the world today. It knows no boundaries. It uses the name of religion to draw people to its cause but kills people of all faiths.”

He went on to add: “We have to delink religion from terror. The only distinction is between those who believe in humanity and who does not.... We also have to work within the society, specially the youth.”

Pitching for a united global fight against terrorism, he said it should be ensured that “no country promotes terrorism, there is no sanctuary, there is funds and there is no arms.”

Though he did not name any country, his mention about sanctuaries was an apparent reference to Pakistan where several terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba are based and nurtured by the establishment. Pushing for enhanced intelligence cooperation among countries, Mr Modi said it has to be ensured that “Internet does not become a recruiting ground” for terrorism.

“I have said it earlier, I will say it again. The world must come together to combat the biggest challenge of our times....We can strengthen intelligence cooperation, we can use military force, we can make international legal systems for making cooperation stronger,” he said.

Earlier, addressing the East Asia Summit, Mr Modi said, “We often thought of terrorism as a peripheral problem for this region. The barbaric terrorist strikes in Paris, Ankara, Beirut, Mali and on the Russian aircraft is a stark reminder that its shadow stretches across our societies and our world, both in recruitment and choice of targets.”

He called for a new global resolve and new strategies to combat terrorism, without balancing it against political considerations and said no country should use or support terrorism.

“There is no distinction between groups. There are no sanctuaries. There are no funds. There is no access to arms. But, we also have to work within our societies and with our youth,” the PM added.

On the upcoming Paris climate conference which he will be attending along with several world leaders on November 30, Modi said “we must also stand together to send a clear message that we will not retreat in the face of terror” besides coming together to “craft a balanced and concrete outcome” on climate change.

He reaffirmed India’s active participation in the ASEAN led security dialogue and cooperation forums and said the East Asia Summit must continue to support the evolution of an inclusive, balanced, transparent and open regional architecture for security and cooperation.

“We must deepen our collective commitment to strengthen and abide by international rules and norms,” he said.

At the address to the Indian diaspora, which mostly constituted of Malay Indians, Modi began with Tamil word ‘Vanakkam’ (welcome) and followed it with a few sentences in Tamil, drawing applause.