Act against terrorism: PM Narendra Modi tells global community

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the world to unite in the fight against terrorism, which threatens peace and security across the globe. Modi, who received the Seoul Peace Prize in the South Korean capital on Friday, said that India had been repeatedly hit by terrorists from across the border over the past four decades.

“Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been derailed by cross-border terrorism. While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders,” he said. “Radicalisation and terrorism have become global and are the biggest threats to world peace and security.”

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has said it was responsible for the attack on a convoy that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Kashmir on February 14. South Korean President Moon Jaein condemned the terror attack.


“The time has come for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, and to counter terrorist ideology and propaganda,” Modi said. “Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development; and transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a postcard for peace.”

Modi said India and South Korea will work together on battling the scourge. “On counter terror, we will increase cooperation,” he said. “The world has to move beyond just talks now.”

‘KOREAN MODEL BEST FOR INDIA’
India’s home ministry and South Korea's national police signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Transnational Crimes and Police Cooperation to crack down on terrorism.

The prime minister said India was among the top 10 trading partners of South Korea and is the sixth-largest export destination for that country’s goods. The two nations signed three separate agreements to facilitate South Korean investment. These include speeding up foreign direct investment, along with supporting Indian startups and funding highways.

“The South Korean model is the best for India,” he said.

The two countries are looking to more than double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 from $21.5 billion in 2018. They have also fast-tracked the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

“India’s Act East and Korea’s new southern policy is strengthening and giving depth to the strategic partnership between the two countries,” Modi said. On the Indo-Pacific region, he reiterated India’s policy on inclusivity and centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The prime minister had on Thursday addressed South Korean business leaders and unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Seoul Campus of Yonsei University besides interacting with the Indian community in the country.

At that last meeting, he talked about his government’s reforms and how the goods and services tax (GST) had united the country economically. “India is the brightest spot for investment in the world,” he said.

The PM dedicated the $200,000 prize money to the Namami Gange programme.

“This award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India,” he said. “The success that India has achieved in the last five years is due to aspirations, inspiration and efforts of the people of India. On their behalf, I accept the award and express my gratitude.”

Modi is the 14th recipient of the award. Past winners include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam.