Modi at G20 Summit: One nation in South Asia spreading agents of terror

​Hangzhou: In a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said "one single nation" in South Asia is spreading "agents of terror" as he asserted that those who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated, not rewarded.

"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.

"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," Modi said in his intervention during the concluding session of the meeting of the world's 20 strong economies.

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.

"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. 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 and Pakistan 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.

Modi told May that the recent meeting of India-UK joint group on counter-terrorism was very useful and called for greater collaboration in cyber-security, intelligence sharing and information gathering.

Modi sought May's suggestions on further strengthening the partnership particularly trade and investment ties.

In this context, he referred to the recent launch of the HSBC Corporate Rupee bond on the London Stock Exchange which has been very successful, Swarup said. Both leaders also looked forward to an early visit by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to UK, Swarup said.

May said she was very keen to support Modi's vision for India including the broader strategic partnership, the spokesperson said.

She underlined the importance Britain attaches to India and Indian diaspora and refereed to the recent visits paid by three UK ministers Preeti Patel, Alok Sharma and Greig Clark to India.

In his last bilateral meeting of the day, Modi met Argentine President Mauricio Macri and invited him to India.

Modi said he would like to personally take him to the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, for whom President Macri has always had a special place in his heart, Swarup said.

Thanking Modi for the invitation, Macri recalled his two previous visits to India, as a tourist and as a Mayor.

Modi thanked Macri for Argentina's strong support for India's NSG membership and said it was important in the context of India's clean energy needs, Swarup said.

Macri said Argentina was keen to support India's nuclear energy needs and stressed on the need to diversify Argentina's exports to India while inviting Indian companies to participate in the exploration of shale gas reserves in Argentina.

They also discussed India's draft for a Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, solar energy, mining and hydro carbons. Modi also congratulated Argentina on being the next host of G20 summit.