VIENTIANE, LAOS (TIP): India‘s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a veiled attack on Pakistan, raised the issue of terrorism at the East Asia Summit in Laos, September 8.

Stating that most countries in the South Asian region were pursuing a peaceful path to economic prosperity, he said: “But, there is one country in India’s neighborhood whose competitive advantage rests solely in producing and exporting terrorism.” He added that it was crucial for countries to adopt an “isolate and sanction” attitude against Islamabad.

“We need to target not only the terrorists, but also their entire supporting ecosystem,” Modi said, adding, “And, our strongest action should be reserved for those state actors who employ terrorism as an instrument of state policy.”

“Rising export of terror, growing radicalization through ideology of hatred and spread of extreme violence define the landscape of common security threats to our societies. The threat is local, regional and transitional at the same time,” he said.

India, of late, has been raising the issue of terrorism at international forums like the G20 and the East Asia Summit. The idea is to counter Pakistan which has been on the offensive as it is trying hard to internationalize the Kashmir issue globally and raise it at the level of the United Nations. At the G20 Summit, Modi had stated bluntly that there was one country in South Asia that was spreading terror. The clear reference to Pakistan was obvious.

Modi Meets Obama, discusses climate change

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the summit, Modi met United States President Barack Obama today. This was the eighth meeting between the two leaders and is probably the last one before Obama demits office. It is learnt that both leaders discussed climate change, energy co-operation and also reviewed progress on the Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation.

President Obama is committed to the cause of climate change and it is one legacy that he wants to leave behind. Reports suggest that Modi informed Obama that India would adopt the Paris Agreement on climate change by year-end. However, there was no confirmation of it by India.

(Read comment – Taking the Paris Process Forward)