Modi asks G-20 nations to implement 11-point agenda on countering terror

NEW DELHI: Terrorism dominated the discussions between India and Argentina as Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the Pulwama attack “shows that the time for discussions is over. Now the whole world unitedly needs to take concrete steps against terrorism and its supporters. Hesitating to act against terrorists and their anti-humanitarian supporters is also equivalent to promoting terrorism.”

Keeping up the strong rhetoric against terror, Modi used the visit of the Argentina President Mauricio Macri to ask the G-20 countries to “implement the 11-point agenda of 'Hamburg Leaders' Statement’ on countering terrorism.” In addition to 10 agreements, both countries also inked a special declaration against terrorism.


Speaking to journalists, the Argentine foreign minister, Jorge Faurie said Argentina “clearly condemned” terrorism and specifically the Pulwama attack, vowing to work together with India. “We have experience in dealing with terror from this part of the world,” he said. The terrorism declaration called for removing safe havens for terrorists, emphasizing “commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and asserted that strong measures should be taken against terrorists, terror organizations, their networks and all those who encourage, support, finance and provide safe haven to terrorists and terror groups. They also underscored the need to ensure that terrorist organizations do not get access to any WMD or technologies or finances and committed to cooperate in the specialized multilateral fora.”

Argentina and India will explore cooperation in nuclear energy with the first meeting of the joint committee in Mumbai this week — “we can share our experience in building small nuclear power plants that can work in remote areas.” He said Argentina would be looking to supply components to India’s own nuclear reactors. The two sides are also looking to cooperate with India on its nanosatellites. Equally important, Modi indicated that India would share its technology and experience in digital governance, using the JAM (jandhan-aadhar-mobile trinity) to deliver governance.

However, Faurie said India’s recent decision to buy oil from Venezuela was “problematic for the region.” “We have been very critical of China too, which has pumped money into Venezuela.” This issue was discussed between Macri and Modi, with Argentina insisting that Venezuela had to return to democratic rule, and this message had to be given by its big Asian customers like India. Speaking about China’s large footprint in Latin America, Faurie said India needed to step up its own presence in the continent.

In his remarks to the media after his meeting with Macri, Modi said an Indian consortium, KABIL, has started discussions with Argentinian provinces to mine lithium. “We have set a goal in India that by 2030 at least 30% of our vehicles will run with electrical batteries. Argentina is a part of the Lithium Triangle, and it has approximately 54% of the world's lithium reservoir.”

Faurie said India and Argentina shared positions on multilateral issues. In particular, he said, India sought support for its candidate to head the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, and Argentina may vote for India.