Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sought to isolate Pakistan saying that “one single nation in South Asia is spreading agents of terror in the neighbourhood”. PM Modi, who is in China to attend the G-20 Summit, also took on the host nation which has been an irritant for India in its bid for a membership at the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and getting Jaish-e-Muhammad founder Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist at the UN.
Urging the international community to act against terror in unity, the PM said, “We expect the international community to speak and act in unity, and to respond with urgency to fight this menace.”
"Those who sponsor and support terrorism must be isolated and sanctioned, not rewarded," he said, hinting at China's growing proximity with Pakistan.
Speaking at the final session intervention during the ongoing G-20 summit in China, Modi said the growing forces of violence and terror pose a fundamental challenge.
"Indeed one single nation in South Asia is spreading these agents of terror in countries of our region," Prime Minister Modi said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
"Growing forces of violence and terror pose a fundamental challenge. There are some nations that use it as an instrument of state policy. India has a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism. Because anything less than that is not enough," Modi said.
"For us a terrorist is a terrorist," he asserted.
India has a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism. Because anything less than that is not enough. For us a terrorist is a terrorist,” Modi said in Hangzhou city of China.
The Prime Minister said India appreciates the G20's initiative on combating the financing of terrorism and asserted that all countries should meet the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
Modi's remarks came a day after India called on other BRICS members to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism.
Modi, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, had yesterday demanded "coordinated actions" by the grouping to "isolate supporters and sponsors of terror".
The Prime Minister, in his address to the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Leaders Meeting here, had said "terrorists in South Asia, or anywhere for that matter, do not own banks or weapons factories".
"Clearly, someone funds and arms them and BRICS must intensify joint efforts not just to fight terror but to coordinate actions to isolate those who are supporters and sponsors of terror," he had said, without naming Pakistan.
But the reference was clearly aimed at Islamabad — a close ally of China.
Modi's comments at G20 come against the backdrop of escalating war of words between India andPakistan in the aftermath of the continuing unrest in the Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces.
World's top 20 leaders have gathered in Hangzhou to participate in G-20 summit.
