Benaulim (Goa), October 16

Taking on Pakistan on the issue of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dubbed it the “mothership” of terrorism to which terror modules around the world were connected and asked BRICS nation leaders to act together against the threat posed by it.

In a forceful condemnation of Pakistan, which he did not directly name, Modi told the five-nation BRICS Summit here that a country in India’s neighbourhood shelters not just terrorists but nurtures a mindset that proclaimed that terrorism was justified for political gains.

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“In our own region, terrorism poses a grave threat to peace, security and development. Tragically, its mothership is a country in India’s neighbourhood. Terror modules around the world are linked to this mothership,” he told Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Michel Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma at the BRICS Summit’s “restricted” segment.

Read: Goa declaration — BRICS leaders call for tackling terrorism, early adoption of global convention

The Prime Minister further said, “This country shelters not just terrorists; it nurtures a mindset. A mindset that loudly proclaims that terrorism is justified for political gains. It is a mindset that we strongly condemn.

“And, against which we as BRICS need to stand and act together. BRICS must speak in one voice against this threat.” During his bilaterals with Putin and Xi yesterday, Modi had strongly articulated India’s concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

The Prime Minister stressed that those supporting terrorism have to be “punished, not rewarded.”

“The growing arc of terrorism today threatens Middle East, West Asia, Europe and South Asia,” he said.

“Its violent footprint puts at risk the security of our citizens and undercuts our efforts aimed at economic growth,” he added.

Modi also asked BRICS countries to work together for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN to tackle the menace and step up practical cooperation against terrorism.

Observing that BRICS nations have been a voice for peace, reform, reason and purposeful action, he said, “If new drivers of growth have to take root, there must be unhindered flow of skilled talent, ideas, technology and capital across borders”.

‘Need for a clear roadmap to revive global economy’

Talking about critical challenges that the world is confronted with, the Prime Minister said there was a need for a clear roadmap to revive the global economy.

“We have built new global institutions to complement the existing architecture. The New Development Bank & Contingency Reserve Arrangement stand out,” he added.

Referring to India recently ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement, he said, “We are committed to a harmonious balance between development and climate change. The path laid down by the SDGs or agenda 2030 is a valuable blueprint of hope.

India’s own development priorities are aligned with them.” Modi concluded his remarks by mentioning non-conventional security challenges, from threats on cyberspace and piracy on high seas to human trafficking. — PTI