Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the UN General Assembly on Saturday flagged the danger of some countries exploiting the Afghanistan situation to promote terrorism in the world.
Although the Prime Minister did not mention Pakistan by name the reference was quite apparent as Islamabad has been actively engaged with the Taliban militants and has been hosting terrorist outfits to sponsor cross-border terrorism.
"Those who use terrorism as a political tool have to understand that terrorism is an equally big threat to them as well," PM Modi pointed.
“The danger from regressive and extremist thinking is on the rise,” the PM said at the gathering of world leaders, a day after India gave a strong response to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan bringing up the Kashmir issue at the UNGA.
PM Modi called for a broader global response against terrorism and emphasised the need to ensure that Afghanistan did not become a haven for terrorists.
At the same time he said, “We need to fulfill our responsibilities towards those in Afghanistan who need help, including women and children and the minorities.”
PM Modi said that development based on science and rational thinking was the need of the hour to tackle the growing challenges of regressive thinking and extremism.
“Today the danger of regressive thinking and extremism is increasing around the world. In these situations, the world has to make science-based rational and progressive thinking the main basis for development,” he said.
Indo-Pacific problem
In an oblique reference to China’s increased belligerence in the Indo-Pacific, PM Modi said that oceans were a shared heritage. “The oceans should be used, not abused,” he remarked.
"Our oceans are also the lifeline of international trade. We must protect them from the race for expansion. The international community must speak in one voice to strengthen a rule-based world order,” he added.
He pointed out in this regard that India during its presidency of the UN Security Council had for the first time held a discussion on maritime security.
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