De-link terrorism from religion: Modi

TT, Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 22 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned that terrorism was the "biggest threat" to the world and should be de-linked from religion as he pitched for a global strategy to block covert support in the form of funds or a safe haven.

Modi did not name any country but appeared to be alluding to Pakistan, long blamed by India for harbouring terror groups.

He also underlined the need for ensuring that the Internet did not become a "recruiting ground" for terrorism, amid the growing trend of the Islamic State luring youths from across the globe.

Modi, who addressed the East Asian Summit and spoke to the Indian diaspora on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia, said terrorism was not a "peripheral problem" for the Asian region.

He pointed to several "barbaric" attacks - like those in Paris and Mali and the recent bombing of a Russian aircraft - to stress that the "shadow" of terror "stretches across our societies and our world, both in recruitment and choice of targets".

"(It's the) biggest threat to the world today. It knows no boundaries. It uses the name of religion to draw people to its cause but kills people of all faiths," he said.

"We have to de-link religion from terror. The only distinction is between those who believe in humanity and who does not.... We also have to work within the society, specially the youth."

He stressed the need to "work within our societies and with our youth" to counter the scourge and said India drew its strength from its diversity.

In his 45-minute speech at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Modi said development in India was "gathering speed now" amid the global slowdown, and the country was growing at 7.5 per cent, with faster growth expected in the coming years.

On terrorism, the Prime Minister spoke about the need for the world to come together to use "military force" and "international legal systems" to fight terror, pitching for a concerted global effort.

It should be ensured, he said, that "no country promotes terrorism, there is no sanctuary, there are no funds and there are no arms".

The mention of sanctuaries was possibly a reference to Pakistan, where several terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba are based.

Calling for greater intelligence cooperation among countries, Modi said the "Internet" must not become a "recruiting ground" for terrorism. "I have said it earlier, I will say it again. The world must come together to combat the biggest challenge of our times.... We can strengthen intelligence cooperation, we can use military force, we can make international legal systems for making cooperation stronger," he said.

He called for a new global resolve to combat terrorism, without balancing it against political considerations, and said no country should use or support terrorism.

"There is no distinction between groups. There are no sanctuaries. There are no funds. There is no access to arms. But we also have to work within our societies and with our youth," the Prime Minister added.

On the upcoming Paris climate conference, which he is scheduled to attend along with several world leaders on November 30, Modi called for a "balanced and concrete outcome".

He reaffirmed India's active participation in the Asean-led security dialogue and cooperation forums and said the East Asia Summit must continue to support the evolution of an inclusive, balanced, transparent and open regional architecture for security and cooperation.

"We must deepen our collective commitment to strengthen and abide by international rules and norms," he said.

While addressing the Indian diaspora, Modi began with the Tamil greeting Vanakkamand followed it up with a few sentences in Tamil.