Need a comprehensive convention on international terrorism: Modi at UN

United Nations: Talking tough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched for a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism as he decried those states who continue to allow terrorist sanctuaries on their soil or use terrorism as instruments of their policy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly.

Asking the world to rise above politics, divisions, discrimination and distinction between good and bad terrorists, Modi called for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations.

"This is a time of great flux and change. The world is witnessing tensions and turmoil on a scale rarely seen in recent history," Modi said in his maiden address to the 193-member UN General Assembly that lasted 35 minutes.

He welcomed efforts to combat terrorism's resurgence in West Asia, which is affecting countries near and far.

"Even today, states allow terrorist sanctuaries on their territory or use terrorism as instruments of their policy," Modi said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

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The effort should involve the support of all countries in the region, he said, adding UN should ensure that there will be peace, stability and order in the outer space and cyber space.

"We should work together to ensure that all countries observe international rules and norms," he said.

Modi pointed out that terrorism is taking new shape and new name and that no country, big or small, in the north or the south, east or west, is free from its threat.

There are no major wars, but tensions and conflicts abound and, there is absence of real peace and uncertainty about the future, he said.

"We should put aside our differences and mount a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism. As a symbol of this effort, I urge you to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism," he said.

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Modi said an integrating Asia Pacific region is still concerned about maritime security that is fundamental to its future.

Europe faces risk of new division, he stressed, adding that in West Asia, extremism and fault lines are growing.

"Our own region continues to face the destabilising threat of terrorism. Africa faces the twin threat of rising terrorism and a health crisis," he said.

"Are we really making concerted international efforts to fight these forces, or are we still hobbled by our politics, our divisions, our discrimination between countries, distinction between good and bad terrorists," he asked.

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