Isolate those who harbour terrorists: PM Modi in speech to British MPs

LONDON: In a veiled reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there should be a global resolve to "isolate" those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them "honestly".

Addressing MPs in British Parliament's Royal Gallery, Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UK in 10 years, said the world must speak in one voice and act in unison to combat terrorism, calling it a "challenge of our times."

Dwelling on terrorism among other subjects during his 25-minute speech, Modi said there should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations.

"There should be a resolve to isolate those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them honestly. And, we need a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent and, every effort to delink religion and terrorism," he said.

"The world must speak in one voice and act in unison to combat this challenge of our times," Modi said while stating that terrorism and extremism are a global force that are larger than their changing names, groups, territories and targets.

"We must adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN without delay. There should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations.