Dubai: Speaking just ahead of the NSA-level talks with Pakistan on August 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has been a victim of terrorism for last 40 years, with innocent people being killed but the world has realised its impact only now. “Terrorism does not have any boundary... Everyone will have to decide whether they are with terrorism or against it,” the Prime Minister said in his 70-minute address, where he spoke a few lines in Malayalam for the large section of audience from Kerala.
He said “false distinction” between good terrorism and bad terrorism will not work and action must be taken against all those involved in perpetrating violence. “Good Taliban, bad Taliban. Good terror, bad terror... This won’t work. Time has come now for a decisive battle between those supporting terrorism and those believing in humanity,” he said.
Mr Modi took a swipe at UN Security Council, saying that it has not been able to define terrorism and which country should be declared as “terrorist state”. In this context, he said a proposal on Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism has been pending for long and the UAE has backed India’s stand on the matter. Giving the example of recent Naga peace accord, the Prime Minister said all those who are on the path of violence should shun it and come to the national mainstream.
“Howsoever serious a problem may be, at the end talks is the only way to resolve it. Whether you come to the dialogue table after fighting for 10 years, 20 years or 40 years, you will have to come for talks. I want to tell those who have chosen the wrong path that violence does no good to anybody,” Mr Modi said. The Prime Minister spoke on a range of issues including ties with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan and steps for bolstering connectivity and trust among SAARC countries.
