Delink religion from terrorism, urges Modi in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: Vanakkam! is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Indian diaspora here as he set the tone for an address that was steeped in Tamil flavour.

He walked up to the stage and hailed the 15,000-strong crowd and spoke a few sentences in Tamil saying, “Many of you are from Tamil Nadu...Tamil Nadu’s role in India’s growth is important.”

Switching to English, Modi said, “India is not confined to territory. India exists in every Indian in every part of the world, India is in you.” In his 45-minute address Mr Modi went on to talk about Tamil philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar.

“As I stand before you, I am reminded of the words of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar: ‘Friendship is not just a smile on the face. It is what is felt deep within a smiling heart’,” Modi said.

Delink religion from terrorism, urges PM Modi

Warning that terrorism is the “biggest threat” to the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it should be delinked from religion as he pitched for new global anti-terror strategies while ensuring that no country (a veiled reference to Pakistan) gives sanctuary to it.

He underlined the need to ensure that the Internet does not become a “recruiting ground” for terrorism amid the growing trend of the ISIS luring youth from across the globe. He spoke about the world coming together to use “military force” and “international legal systems” to fight the menace.

He referred to the recent attacks in Paris, Ankara, Mali, and on the Russian plane, and said terrorism is not a “peripheral problem” for the Asian region but its shadow stretches across the world, both in recruitment and choice of targets.

Mr Modi, while addressing the East Asian Summit, spoke to the Indian diaspora on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia and stressed the need for working “within our societies and with our youth” to counter terrorism.

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Terrorism's long shadow stretches across the world: Narendra Modi at East Asia Summit

When asked about “intolerance”, he said that India draws strength from its diversity and that his government is working to create an environment where enterprise flourishes and everybody gets basic needs like roof, sanitation, water, health care and education.

In his 45-minute speech at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre here, he said development in India is “gathering speed now” amid the global slowdown and the country is growing at 7.5 per cent with faster growth expected in the coming years.

Talking about terrorism, the Prime Minister said it is the “biggest threat to the world today. It knows no boundaries. It uses the name of religion to draw people to its cause but kills people of all faiths.”

He went on to add: “We have to delink religion from terror. The only distinction is between those who believe in humanity and who does not.... We also have to work within the society, specially the youth.”

Pitching for a united global fight against terrorism, he said it should be ensured that “no country promotes terrorism, there is no sanctuary, there is funds and there is no arms.”

Though he did not name any country, his mention about sanctuaries was an apparent reference to Pakistan where several terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba are based and nurtured by the establishment. Pushing for enhanced intelligence cooperation among countries, Mr Modi said it has to be ensured that “Internet does not become a recruiting ground” for terrorism.

“I have said it earlier, I will say it again. The world must come together to combat the biggest challenge of our times....We can strengthen intelligence cooperation, we can use military force, we can make international legal systems for making cooperation stronger,” he said.

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