A Terrorist Is a Terrorist: PM Modi Singles Out Pak at G20 Summit

The Indian Prime Minister said that “one single nation” is spreading terror in South Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit. (Photo: AP)

In a sharp attack on Pakistan at the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “one single nation” in South Asia is spreading “agents of terror” in an apparent reference to Pakistan, 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. We expect the international community to speak and act in unity, and to respond with urgency to fight this menace.

He emplaned for New Delhi after attending the G20 closing ceremony, thanking Chinese people and the government for the “hospitality.”

At the summit, the PM added that 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.

“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 earlier 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 had said “terrorists in South Asia, or anywhere for that matter, do not own banks or weapons factories”.

(With inputs from PTI.)