Delink terror and religion, Modi tells G20 Leaders

The world must speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism, without any political considerations, he said. 

Late on Sunday, India called for a comprehensive global strategy for delinking terror and religion, and for cooperation among countries to counter radicalisation. Addressing the G20 leaders here at a session on terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “We need to involve religious leaders, thinkers and opinion makers for a social movement against extremism, particularly addressed to the youth”.

This, Mr. Modi said, was needed most in countries where it is most prevalent and highlighted the urgency for promoting broader peace and stability in West Asia and Africa.

Hitting out against terror, especially that is perpetrated by countries as an instrument of state policy, he said to the G20 leaders, including US President Barack Obama, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping that there was a new level of threat to pluralist and open societies. “We must isolate those who support and sponsor terrorism; and, stand with those who share our values of humanism”.

Changing character of terrorism, he said, was visible with use of cyber space for recruitment and propaganda. “We don't have a comprehensive global strategy to combat terrorism. And, we tend to be selective in using the instruments that we have.”

There also should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between states and the world must speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism, without any political considerations, he said.

He highlighted the need to restructure the international legal framework for dealing with the unique challenges of terrorism and increasing international cooperation in intelligence and counter-terrorism and also appealed for early adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

“We should strengthen efforts to prevent supply of arms to terrorists, disrupt terrorist movements, and curb and criminalise terror financing.”

The West Asian crisis, Mr. Modi said, has focused global attention on an acute humanitarian challenge that also has wide-ranging impact in receiving countries. He stressed the need for a long term approach and a stronger role for the United Nations in dealing with the challenge.