FORTALEZA, July 15: Deprecating the “different yardsticks” in dealing with global terrorism which has assumed war-like proportions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said collective pressure should be put on states to deny sanctuaries and support to terrorists, a statement seen as a veiled reference to India’s neighbourhood.
In his first multilateral engagement with world leaders, Modi addressed the sixth Summit of BRICS nations in which he made it clear that terrorism in any form was against humanity and there should be zero-tolerance against it.
He said the menace has assumed war-like proportions and called for early adoption by the UN of the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism.
“We must also put collective pressure on States to deny sanctuaries and support to terrorists,” he said in his first major speech at an international forum in which he also referred to international hot spots like Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
“Terrorism is a threat that has assumed war-like proportions. It is in fact a proxy war aimed at innocent civilians. Due to different yardsticks the international community has not been able to combat terror effectively,” he told the meeting of five-nation grouping attended by host President Dilma Rousseff, Presidents Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
“I firmly believe that terrorism, in any shape or form, is against humanity. There should be zero tolerance towards terrorism. Humanity must unite, and isolate terrorist forces, especially states that flout basic norms. Selective targeting of terrorism will not work,” he said.
“BRICS must translate our political resolve into a concrete and coordinated plan of action. I call for an early adoption by the UN, of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. We are meeting at a time when the world is facing a high level of turmoil and uncertainty. Global economic weakness also persists,” Modi said.
He said restoring a climate of peace and stability is therefore an urgent need for global progress and prosperity. “I come from a land where the idea of the ‘whole world being one family’ is rooted in our ethos – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
Modi said the world must unite as one to decisively confront global challenges. Corrective action must begin with the reform of institutions of global governance. This has been on the BRICS agenda since its inception.
The Prime Minister said institutions like the UN Security Council and IMF need urgent reform. They must become more representative and reflect ground realities.
He said the region stretching from Afghanistan to Africa is experiencing turbulence and conflict. This is causing grave instability that is fast seeping across borders.
“This impacts us all. Remaining mute spectators to countries being torn up in this manner can have grave consequences,” he said.
“Afghanistan, is facing an uncertain future. The Afghan people have suffered for decades. The world must unite to support them in building a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous country.
“We must help Afghanistan fight the forces of terrorism. This is important for it to preserve the progress it has made in the last decade. India will continue to assist Afghanistan in building its capacity; in governance, security and economic development. We look forward to working with our BRICS partners in this regard,” he said.
Earlier, Modi today met Chinese President Xi Jinping here and pressed for a solution to the boundary question, saying if the two sides could amicably resolve the vexed issue, it would set an example for the world on peaceful conflict resolution.
The two leaders, who arrived almost at the same time in this seaside city of Brazil last evening to attend the BRICS Summit, engaged shortly thereafter for what was described as “good discussions and good meeting”.
The meeting – first between the two leaders – was scheduled for 40 minutes but it went on for 80 minutes as it was a free-wheeling discussion without any constraints.
“Had a very fruitful meeting with Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping. We discussed a wide range of issues,” Modi tweeted after the meeting with Xi, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China.
“Both sides emphasised on the need to find a solution to the Boundary Question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Modi told Xi that “if India and China could amicably resolve the Boundary Question, it would set an example for the entire world, on peaceful conflict resolution,” the statement added.
Xi said that China and India are strategic partners rather than rivals. “Judging from either bilateral, regional or global perspective, China and India are long-lasting strategic and cooperative partners, rather than rivals,” said Xi.
“I am willing to work together with Prime Minister Modi to constantly enhance the China-India strategic and cooperative partnership to a higher level, and jointly safeguard our strategic period of opportunities, as well as peace and stability of the region and the world at large,” he was quoted as saying by China’s official Xinhua news agency.
The two sides have held 17 rounds of the Special Representative talks aimed at resolving the boundary issue.
India asserts that the border dispute covered nearly 4,057-km long Line of Actual Control, while China claims that it confined to about 2,000 km to the area of Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers as Southern Tibet.
During the meeting, Modi also suggested the addition of one more route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, keeping in view the terrain difficulties.
President Xi “accepted this as a suggestion for consideration,” the statement said. The Yatra involves trekking at high altitudes of up to 19,500 feet under arduous conditions.
The two leaders appeared well prepared for the meeting as both of them referred to the statements made by the other before they assumed power, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters.
“If I were to try and summarise what this meeting could be, perhaps I could do so in the sentence — ‘Baat bhi achhi hui, mulaqaat bhi achhi hui’ (They had good discussions and good meeting). That in sum and substance summarises the 80-minute meeting,” he said.
“It was a meeting in which President Xi said he acknowledged Prime Minister’s deep understanding of the bilateral relationship,” Akbaruddin said.
“It was a meeting in which both agreed that tomorrow when they work in the BRICS they will work together at the international forum. And it was a meeting where all aspects of bilateral relations were discussed. Therefore, I had used that term at the beginning where I said — Baat bhi achhi hui, aur mulaqaat bhi achhi hui’,” he said.
The leaders of the two fastest growing economies observed that India and China had enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity.
President Xi underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship and said: “If the two countries speak in one voice, the whole world will attentively listen; if the two countries join hand in hand, the whole world will closely watch.”
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the high momentum of bilateral engagement during the past few weeks, including the visit of Vice President Hamid Ansari to China and the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India as President Xi’s Special Envoy in June.
In a significant development, China invited India to attend a summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in November. APEC is a forum for 21 countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (PTI)
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