BENAULIM, Goa — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged BRICS leaders on Sunday to take a strong united stand against the “mother ship of terrorism” in the South Asian region, in a thinly veiled reference to Pakistan.
Modi said a country in India’s neighborhood held links to “terror modules” around the world, which the emerging nations club of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa should strongly condemn.
“In our region, terrorism poses a grave threat to peace, security and development,” Modi told leaders at the BRICS summit in the tourist state of Goa.
“Tragically the mother ship of terrorism is a country in India’s neighborhood,” Modi said without naming Pakistan.
“Terror modules around the world are linked to this mother ship. This country shelters not just terrorists. It nurtures a mindset. A mindset that loudly proclaims that terrorism is justified for political gains.”
“It is a mindset we strongly condemn. And against which we as BRICS need to stand and act together. BRICS must speak in one voice against this threat,” he said.
The Hindu nationalist leader has been moving to isolate India’s archrival and fellow nuclear power following a raid last month on an Indian army base that killed 19 soldiers.
New Delhi blamed Pakistan-based militants for the attack, which triggered calls at home for an aggressive response.
India said its troops later hit militants across the border in Pakistan, sparking fury from Islamabad which denied that strikes had taken place.
Analysts are skeptical of India’s chances of securing a joint BRICS condemnation given China’s strong relations with Pakistan where it is pursuing a slew of infrastructure projects and Russia’s efforts to forge closer defense ties with Islamabad. — Agencies
