Modi calls Pak a threat to prosperity of region - The theme was terrorism all th- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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The theme was terrorism all the way at the Brics summit meeting here as PM Narendra Modi used the forum to keep up his attack on Pakistan, describing it as the "mother ship" of terrorism that posed a direct threat to the "eco prosperity" of the region.

In This Pic : Narendra Modi

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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Like at Hangzhou and Laos, where he accused "one country" of spreading terrorism, Modi stopped just short of directly naming Pakistan. "We agreed that those who nurture, shelter, support and sponsor forces of violence and terror are as much a threat to us as the terrorists themselves," Modi said, as he insisted there was unanimity within Brics on the issue of terrorism.

In This Pic : Narendra Modi, Brics

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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But the Chinese articulation was more muted. Speaking during the plenary session, Xi said it was imperative to step up coordination on major international issues, "regional hotspots" and find a political solution to these.
Interestingly, Chinese reports on Saturday's Modi-Xi meeting did not contain any reference to counterterrorism.

In This Pic : Brics

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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While the Goa Declaration issued after the Brics summit did not mention cross-border terrorism mainly due to China's resistance, it contained some significant differences from previous outcome documents. It noted the responsibility of all states to prevent terrorist activities from their territories. And importantly, in the context of India's surgical strikes across the Line of Control, it listed dismantling of terrorist bases among measures needed for a comprehensive approach to fighting terrorism.

In This Pic : Narendra Modi, Brics

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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The document also noted that "political" causes were not acceptable reasons to condone terror. MEA secretary (economic relations) Amar Sinha, who coordinates diplomacy relating to Brics, said India was satisfied with the outcome document even though the group couldn't arrive at a consensus on naming Pakistan-based terror groups like Jaish-e-Muhammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In This Pic : Narendra Modi, Brics

Pic Courtesy : PTI