Modi may take jibe at Pak over terrorism at BRICS despite China's objection

Beijing/New Delhi: Despite China’s objection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Chinese province Xiamen for BRICS summit, might take a dig at Pakistan for its cross-border terrorism.

China had on Thursday backed its all weather ally Pakistan by sending a clear message to India. “Counter terrorism efforts by Pakistan would not be an appropriate topic to be taken up by the grouping despite concerns expressed by India,” China had said.

However, Indian External Affairs Ministry, hours before Modi left for Xiamen on Sunday, said, “Appropriate or not, India plans to bring up the issue”. The ministry had said "We had raised it (terrorism) in Goa summit and sure it will revisit us in this summit as well."

In a veiled attack on Pakistan during BRICS address in Goa last year, Modi had called Islamabad the “mother-ship of terrorism”.

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump had last month criticised Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and giving safe havens to terror outfits, while announcing his new Afghan and South Asia policy. The US had also cut $350 million military aid to Pakistan and also warned it of consequences if it fails to curb the terror menace.

With United States support, India has got an upper hand to denounce Pakistan for its terror activities. It is now convenient for India to counter Pakistan at global platform such as BRICS.

As terrorism is the major global problem, BRICS nations, including China, on Monday declared Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as global terror outfits on similar stature of Islamic State.

Interestingly, Beijing has been blocking JeM chief’s ban at United Nations Security Council using veto.

Meanwhile, Beijing has invested over $50 billion for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, a crucial component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Despite invitation, India had skipped the event, saying that the CPEC passes through disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In the opening speech at the BRICS meet on Sunday, Xi had said, BRI "is not a tool to advance any geopolitical agenda, but a platform for practical cooperation."