Modi takes on Pak at BRICS Summit, calls it 'mother-ship' of terrorism

Benaulim (Goa): Slamming Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the most direct threat to the BRICS’ countries economic prosperity is terrorism, and a country in India’s neighbourhood was the ‘mother-ship’ of such terrorism.

Speaking at the BRICS Summit in Goa, Modi said the growing arc of terrorism today threatens Middle East, West Asia, Europe and South Asia.

Taking on Pakistan, Modi stated that, “Terror modules around world are linked to this mother-ship (Pakistan). This country shelters not just terrorists, it nurtures a mindset. A mindset that loudly proclaims that terrorism is justified for political gains. It's a mindset that we strongly condemn,” Modi said.

Modi called on the BRICS countries to unite and stand up against terrorism. He appealed for early adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), the draft of which India had presented as early as 1996 at the United Nations.

Modi added that BRICS countries were united in their belief that terrorism and its supporters have to be punished, not rewarded.

Earlier, Modi met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Bhutan PM Tobgay on Day 2 of the Summit.