Narendra Modi asks G20 to crack down on terror

New Delhi/Hamburg: Targeting Pakistan without naming it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was a lead speaker on the theme of terrorism at the Leaders Retreat at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, made a strong pitch for global “deterrent” action against countries that support terrorism for their political goals

Mr Modi also presented a 11-point action plan that called for a ban on the entry of officials from terrorism-supporting nations into G-20 countries.

PM Modi referred to (Pakistan-based) terror organisations like LeT, JeM and Haqqani network in “south Asia” along with the ISIS and Al Qaeda in the “West Asia” and Boko Haram in Nigeria and said hatred and carrying massacres were the only ideology of such terror groups. “Some nations are using terrorism for achieving political goals,” PM Modi said in a veiled but crystal clear reference to Pakistan.

Later, Mr Modi also spoke about his government’s campaign against corruption and black money, along with hailing demonetisation in India as a blow against corruption.  “There should be compulsory deterrent action against nations supporting terrorism. A ban on entry of officials of such countries into G-20 countries is necessary,” he said at the retreat of G-20 leaders.

Mr Modi also called for an exchange of national lists among G-20 countries of suspected terrorists while calling for simplification of legal processes such as extradition to combat terrorism. He called for adoption of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, cooperation on de-radicalisation programmes, establishment on a mechanism on counter-terrorism among national security advisors of G-20 countries.

“PM welcomed plan of action in #G20 on Counter Terrorism and presented 11 point action agenda for it,” MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. “PM leads the way on one of the most grave issues of our times, is lead speaker on theme of terrorism at Leaders Retreat,” he further said.

With leaders like US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping listening, PM Modi regretted that the international response to terrorism was weak and said more cooperation was needed to fight the
menace.

He later said, “India’s decision on demonetisation has dealt a blow to corruption, boosted digitalisation and enlarged the formal economy... With base erosion and profit-shifting adopted, we are ready to carry forward the fight against black money and corruption. Global implementation of automatic exchange of financial account information on a reciprocal basis will help curb black money and illicit flows.”

Mr Modi sought effective implementation of recommendations made by the financial action task force (FATF) on terror financing and suggested setting up of an explosive action task force.

Observing that terrorists are using cyber space for misleading the youth and for radicalisation and recruitment, he called for concrete cooperation in this area in the context of terror activities and suggested putting a mechanism in place within the grouping for national security advisors on counter terrorism.

Earlier at the informal meeting of the Brics nations, the Prime Minister asked the G20 nations to collectively crackdown on terror financing, safe havens, “support and sponsors” of terrorism.

He also urged leaders from the Brics nations to show leadership in fighting terrorism and boosting global economy.