PM Modi in Osaka, Japan. (Source: Twitter/@MEAIndia)Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity, adding that not only innocent lives are lost but also economic development and social stability is harmed. In an informal meet with BRICS leaders in the sidelines of the G20 meet in Japan, Modi emphasised the need to eradicate terrorism together, fight protectionism and strengthen the WTO.
Modi also welcomed Jair Bolsonaro, the newly elected President of Brazil, to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) family.
BRICS leaders met in Osaka, on the sidelines of the #G20 Summit.
In his remarks, PM @narendramodi spoke about strengthening WTO, fighting protectionism, ensuring energy security and the need to work together to fight terrorism. pic.twitter.com/c5QRoekSRg
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 28, 2019
Modi said that there is a need to stop all mediums of support to terrorism. “Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity. It not only kills innocents but also severely affects the economic development and social stability,” he is quoted as saying by PTI.
He pointed out some of the major challenges that needed global focus. “… First is the instability and downfall in the global economy. Unilateralism and competitiveness are overshadowing the rule-based multilateral global trade systems,” Modi said.
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlines “Three major challenges” at the informal meeting of BRICS leaders on the sidelines of the #G20Summit in Osaka, Japan. pic.twitter.com/hO6UprMbMf
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2019
He added that development should be sustainable and all-inclusive.
Modi also spoke about climate change, and said it posed a challenge to current as well as future generations.
In a joint statement issued by BRICS leaders after their informal meeting in Osaka, the nations strongly condemn terrorist attacks in all forms and manifestations.
The statement read: “We urge concerted efforts and a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism under the UN auspices on a firm international legal basis. It should be the responsibility of all states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and of terrorist actions from their territories. While recognising that states have the leading role to ensure safety and security in the use of ICTs, we call on the technology companies to cooperate with governments, in accordance with applicable law, to eliminate the ability of terrorists to use digital platforms to encourage, recruit, facilitate or commit terrorist acts.”
In Osaka, Modi has held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump.
Abe and Modi discussed the importance of defence, outer space and digital economy, and also reviewed the progress of the Mumbai Ahmedabad high-speed railway project and the convention centre in Varanasi.
In his meet with Trump, the leaders discussed a number of issues including trade, defence and 5G communications networks. Trump congratulated Modi on his recent election victory and said that the two countries would work together in many areas including military.
— With PTI inputs
