HANGZHOU, Sept 5:
In a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said “one single nation” in South Asia is spreading “agents of terror” as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded.
“Indeed one single nation in South Asia is spreading these agents of terror in countries of our region,” Prime Minister Modi said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
“We expect the international community to speak and act in unity, and to respond with urgency to fight this menace. Those who sponsor and support terrorism must be isolated and sanctioned, not rewarded,” Modi said in his intervention during the concluding session of the meeting of the world’s 20 strong economies.
The Prime Minister said India appreciates the G20’s initiative on combating the financing of terrorism and asserted that all countries should meet the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
“Growing forces of violence and terror pose a fundamental challenge. There are some nations that use it as an instrument of state policy. India has a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism. Because anything less than that is not enough,” Modi said.
“For us a terrorist is a terrorist,” he asserted.
Modi’s remarks came a day after India called on other BRICS members to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism.
Modi, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, had yesterday demanded “coordinated actions” by the grouping to “isolate supporters and sponsors of terror”.
The Prime Minister, in his address to the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Leaders Meeting here, had said “terrorists in South Asia, or anywhere for that matter, do not own banks or weapons factories”.
“Clearly, someone funds and arms them and BRICS must intensify joint efforts not just to fight terror but to coordinate actions to isolate those who are supporters and sponsors of terror,” he had said, without naming Pakistan.
But the reference was clearly aimed at Islamabad — a close ally of China.
Modi’s comments at G20 come against the backdrop of escalating war of words between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the continuing unrest in the Kashmir valley that broke out on July 8 after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces.
Underlining that fighting corruption and blackmoney is key to effective financial governance, Modi asked G20 leaders to act to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders, unconditionally extradite money launderers and end excessive banking secrecy that hide the corrupt.
“G20’s efforts should be for zero-tolerance for corruption and black money; zero administration, policy and treaty loopholes; zero barriers and full commitment to action,” Modi said.
Modi said fighting corruption, blackmoney and tax evasion were key to effective financial governance.
He said to achieve that “we need to act to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders, track down and unconditionally extradite money launderers and break down the web of complex international regulations and excessive banking secrecy that hide the corrupt and their deeds”.
A stable global economic and financial system is imperative for development as it promotes inclusive and sustainable growth, the Prime Minister said and called for further strengthening of the global financial safety net.
“We need a regular dialogue between the IMF, Regional Financial Arrangements and Bilateral Swap Arrangements. Important mechanisms like financial stability board should stick to their core mandate,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup quoted the Prime Minister as saying in a series of tweets.
“IMF should remain a quota-based institution and not depend on borrowed resources,” Modi said emphasing that the “long-delayed 15th General Review of Quotas must be completed by 2017 Annual Meetings.”
India has been pressing for reform of the Bretton Wood Institutions – IMF and World Bank – which would give it and other major emerging economies greater say in the multilateral lenders.
India had recently said governance reforms are required to ensure IMF’s credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness.
Modi also said India needs energy to support its development. A “balanced mix of nuclear, renewal energy and fossil fuels are at the core of our policy.”
G20 member-States represent 85 per cent of the world’s GDP. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union make the G20.
The Prime Minister said global trading regime must respond to needs and priorities of developing nations. “Global value chains must provide them level-playing field.”
On climate change, he said that though the Paris Agreement showed the way forward, “focus shouldn’t just be on early ratification, but full success.”
“Many global issues may not seem economic but, carry significant economic cost,” he said.
The Prime Minister said “(we) have to safeguard climate justice. (It) requires affordable financing and environmental sound technology for developing countries.”
Meanwhile, Modi raised with French President Francois Hollande the leak of confidential data on the Indian Scorpene Class submarines being built in Mumbai in collaboration with French defence company DCNS on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here.
On the second and final day of the summit in this east Chinese city, Modi held separate “pull-aside” meetings with Hollande and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with whom he discussed India’s NSG membership.
Prior to those meetings, Modi met Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May and held discussions on “building opportunities” in the aftermath of UK’s decision to exit the European Union.
In his meeting with Hollande, Modi raised the leak of sensitive data related to Scorpene Class submarines. “This issue has also figured (in the talks),” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters.
Over 22,000 pages of secret data on the capabilities of six highly-advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai in collaboration with French defence company DCNS were leaked. The data leak reportedly happened overseas.
In his meeting with Erdogan, the Prime Minister discussed the issue of India’s membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Swarup said.
The discussion with Erdogan on NSG was significant as Turkey was among the few countries — along with China — which had stalled India’s bid to join the elite grouping at its plenary meeting in June in Seoul.
China had then raised objection saying India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Turkey too raised its concern over the presence of supporters of dissident Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen in India. Turkey accuses Gulen of masterminding the failed July coup attempt.
Swarup said enhancing civil aviation cooperation with Turkey also figured during the discussions.
With May, the Prime Minister underlined that even after UK’s exit from the EU, “Britain remains an important partner” for India.
“May also referred to the recent passage of GST (bill) which would further boost trade and investment ties with the UK. She supported PM’s reform agenda and the UK is keen to participate in Make in India, Smartcity and Skill India initiatives,” he said.
The two leaders discussed further enhancing of the defence partnership and Modi invited UK firms to India.
They also talked about the challenges of terrorism, calling it “the biggest threat and danger to the world with no boundaries,” Swarup said.
Modi also invited May to visit India in her new capacity. May accepted the invitation and said would like to make as early a visit to India as possible, sources said.
“Modi also touched upon UK’s visa policy. In particular he said that the new UK regulations could have negative impact on Indian working professionals wishing to visit UK for short term business visits,” the sources said.
Modi told May that the recent meeting of India-UK joint group on counter-terrorism was very useful and called for greater collaboration in cyber-security, intelligence sharing and information gathering.
Modi sought May’s suggestions on further strengthening the partnership particularly trade and investment ties.
In this context, he referred to the recent launch of the HSBC Corporate Rupee bond on the London Stock Exchange which has been very successful, Swarup said.
Both leaders also looked forward to an early visit by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to UK, Swarup said.
May said she was very keen to support Modi’s vision for India including the broader strategic partnership, the spokesperson said.
She underlined the importance Britain attaches to India and Indian diaspora and refereed to the recent visits paid by three UK Ministers Preeti Patel, Alok Sharma and Greig Clark to India.
In his last bilateral meeting of the day, Modi met Argentine President Mauricio Macri and invited him to India.
Modi said he would like to personally take him to the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, for whom President Macri has always had a special place in his heart, Swarup said.
Thanking Modi for the invitation, Macri recalled his two previous visits to India, as a tourist and as a Mayor.
Modi thanked Macri for Argentina’s strong support for India’s NSG membership and said it was important in the context of India’s clean energy needs, Swarup said.
Macri said Argentina was keen to support India’s nuclear energy needs and stressed on the need to diversify Argentina’s exports to India while inviting Indian companies to participate in the exploration of shale gas reserves in Argentina.
They also discussed India’s draft for a Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, solar energy, mining and hydro carbons.
Modi also congratulated Argentina on being the next host of G20 summit. (PTI)
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