NEW DELHI: In a clear dig at China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Maldivian Parliament on Saturday that India’s developmental partnership is intended to empower and not weaken and was not meant to increase dependence of others on it or bury future generations under burden of debt.Without naming Pakistan , Modi also said that state sponsorship of terrorism was one of the biggest dangers to the world — a message that was expected to resonate with his audience given that Maldives has been grappling with the problem of radicalisation. He said India is committed to a “Neighbourhood First” approach and sees the region as an area of growth and security.Modi’s reference to the perils of heedless borrowing is significant given that the Maldives is seen as one of the victims of China’s ‘debt-trap’ diplomacy. “We don’t want to either increase people’s dependence on us or to leave their future generations with an impossible burden of debt,’’ Modi said in his speech at the People’s Majlis in Male.One of the main reasons for Modi not visiting the Maldives during his first term was the attempt by the previous Abdulla Yameen government to play China against India. The Maldives is still trying to figure out how much it owes to China but several reports from Male have stated that Yameen’s policies resulted in the country owing almost 70% of its external debt to China.Except for Bhutan, all other neighbours of India have officially joined China’s BRI (Belt and Road Initiative). Some, like the Maldives, are currently reviewing projects they have undertaken fearing a debt trap that is seen as a possible fallout of the “Silk route” initiative.Reaching out to India’s neighbours, Modi said his government’s slogan ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas’ was not just for India but also the basis for India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Modi also announced India’s contribution for the conservation of the Friday Mosque in the Maldives. “There is no other mosque in the world like the Friday Mosque which is made out of coral,’’ said Modi, who started his speech with Eid greetings.The PM also called for a global conference on terrorism describing the menace as one of the biggest challenges facing the world. “Terrorists neither have banks nor weapon factories but they are still able to access these. How is that possible? Who provides them with these?’’ he said.“Terrorism is not a threat to any country or region but to the entire humanity. It is really unfortunate that we still distinguish between good terrorists and bad terrorists. We have lost a lot of time because of petty differences. Paani sir se upar ja chuka hai (it has become intolerable),’’ said Modi, adding that all forces needed to unite against terrorism and radicalisation.“Just as the world community has organised conventions and conferences to deal with climate change, why can’t it do the same on terrorism. We need a global conference to plug the loopholes which are exploited by terrorists to carry out their activities. Our future generations will not forgive us if we fail to do this,’’ said Modi.Describing India’s SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) policy as the blueprint for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Modi said India was not going to use its power and capabilities for its own prosperity alone. “We will use it for common security and prosperity and for a better future. And to help others enhance their capabilities and to offer humanitarian assistance in times of emergency,’’ said Modi, recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s remark that there is no limit to extending our services to our neighbours.