Narendra Modi can be a major ally in war against terror: EU lawmakers

BRUSSELS: Prominent members of the European Parliament today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be EU's "major ally" in the global war against terror and should be proactively engaged as India has the "first-hand knowledge" of dealing with such issues.

Extending a warm welcome, the members termed Modi "a person of great prominence on India's political landscape."

"The European Parliament believes Modi can be a major ally of the EU in the global war against terror," they said after meeting Modi at Hotel Steigenberger this morning.

"EU can learn a lot from the Indian experience in fighting Islamic extremism as India has first-hand knowledge in dealing with the issue," they said in a letter.

The members said the EU "should engage Indian decision makers led by Modi in a proactive dialogue and focus on overlapping interests, including maritime security, terrorism, space and cyber defence."

Modi arrived here today for a hectic day-long visit during which he will attend the India-EU Summit.

Belgian capital Brussels, which was attacked by suicide bombers last week, is the first leg of Modi's three-nation four-day tour which will take him to the US and Saudi Arabia.

Since the terrorist attack on March 22, the Brussels airport is yet to be fully operational and Modi's Special Air India plane had to land at the Brussels Military Airport.

Belgian Army has been deployed for the prime minister's visit. Due to an enhanced terror threat, additional security has been put in place for Modi's public interaction with the Indian diaspora here.