At G-20, spotlight on Pak

India used the gathering of powerful world leaders with the most political and economic clout at G-20 to remind China that its close ties with Pakistan may come under increasing scrutiny. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the point without naming Pakistan by simply calling it the South Asian country that foments terrorism. The point that terror should be punished and not rewarded became a talking point, with Mr Modi emphasising to G-20 leaders that terrorists don’t have bank accounts and don’t manufacture weapons, that just shows they have possible sponsors in governments. Mr Modi’s stress on the cost of terrorism to the economies of terror-hit regions even led to a resolution on checking the financing of terror, yet another success for India in this forum.

The opportunity for Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mr Modi to meet face to face on the sidelines and allow a range of topics on concerns to spring up seems to have been utilised too. There was even an acceptance by China that its relations with India have been “hard won”, which didn’t deter India from raising its concern over the China-Pakistan economic corridor being built through occupied Indian territory. It is a moot point whether there will be a tangible result, with Gwadar port being too significant an economic and strategic goal for China. The G-20 powered the climate accord to the next level, with the US joining China to formally ratify the Paris agreement on curbing climate-warming emissions; with India appearing not yet ready to go that distance.