ANTALYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the G20 platform to take up India’s case of terrorism supported by Pakistan, saying those who support and sponsor terrorism should be isolated and called for delinking terror from religion and coordinated action against radicalization.

Modi also urged G20 leaders to urgently adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and called for restructuring the international legal framework to deal with the unique challenges of terrorism.

“The world must speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism, without any political considerations. There should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between states,” the PM said in his speech at the dinner session of G20 leaders late on Sunday to discuss terrorism and the Syrian refugee crisis.

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Economic issues took a backseat on the opening day of the G20 summit in this golf resort Turkish town as world leaders sought a tough stance against terrorism against the backdrop of the deadly Paris attacks.

“Terrorism is a principal global challenge. From regions in conflict to the streets of distant cities, terrorism extracts a deadly price. Old structures of terrorism remain. There are countries that still use it as an instrument of state policy,” Modi said.

The PM referred to the changing character of terrorism: global links, franchise relations, home-grown terrorism and use of cyber space for recruitment and propaganda.

“There is a new level of threat to pluralist and open societies. The territory of recruitment and the target of attacks is the same — society,” he said.

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Modi said the global framework for security was defined for another era and for other security challenges.

“We don't have a comprehensive global strategy to combat terrorism. And we tend to be selective in using the instruments that we have. Excellencies, even more important than what we face is how we respond to the threat,” he said.

“We must isolate those who support and sponsor terrorism, and stand with those who share our values of humanism,” the PM said.

He called for increasing international cooperation in intelligence and counter-terrorism and strengthening efforts to prevent supply of arms to terrorists, disrupting terrorist movements, and curbing and criminalizing terror financing.

“We have to help each other secure our cyber space, and minimize use of internet and social media for terrorist activities,” Modi said.

The PM also called for the need to involve religious leaders, thinkers and opinion makers for a social movement against extremism, particularly addressed to the youth.

“This is needed most in countries where it is most prevalent. We need to delink terror and religion and work together to counter radicalization,” he said.

Modi said it was equally important to promote broader peace and stability in West Asia and Africa.

“This is also required for addressing the current refugee crisis. Today, there are an estimated 60 million people in need of protection worldwide. The West Asian crisis has focused global attention on this acute humanitarian challenge,” Modi said and thanked countries that have opened their borders and shelters.

The PM said there was a need for a long-term approach to the issue and a stronger role for the UN in dealing with one of the greatest human challenges across the world.

