Delink terror and religion, Modi tells G20 Leaders

The world must speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism, without any political considerations, he said.

India late on Sunday called for a comprehensive global strategy to delink terror and religion, and to promote cooperation among countries to counter radicalisation.

Addressing the G20 leaders here at a session on terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We need to involve religious leaders, thinkers and opinion-makers for a social movement against extremism, particularly addressed to the youth.”

This was needed the most in countries where extremism was most prevalent, he said and highlighted the urgency for promoting broader peace and stability in West Asia and Africa.

Hitting out at terrorism, especially that perpetrated by countries as an instrument of state policy, Mr. Modi said there was a new level of threat to pluralist and open societies. “We must isolate those who support and sponsor terrorism and stand with those who share our values of humanism.”

The changing character of terrorism, he said, was visible with the use of cyberspace for recruitment and propaganda. “We don’t have a comprehensive global strategy to combat terrorism. And, we tend to be selective in using the instruments that we have.”

Global consensus

Furthermore, there should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between states and the world must speak in one voice and act in unison against terrorism, without any political considerations, he said.

He highlighted the need to restructure the international legal framework for dealing with the unique challenges of terrorism and increasing international cooperation in intelligence and counter-terrorism and appealed for early adoption of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. “We should strengthen efforts to prevent supply of arms to terrorists, disrupt terrorist movements and curb and criminalise terror financing.”

The West Asian crisis, Mr. Modi said, focused global attention on an acute humanitarian challenge. He called for a long-term approach to, and a stronger role for the United Nations in, dealing with it.

Modi seeks more global help to get back illicit money

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought greater international cooperation for the return of illicit money to the country of origin.

Addressing G20 leaders, at the session on ‘Enhancing Resilience,’ he wanted them to address the issues of excessive banking secrecy and complex legal and regulatory frameworks.

“In India, my government has zero tolerance of corruption and black money...We have enacted a law to deal with undisclosed assets and income kept abroad. We have also entered into a number of bilateral tax treaties.”

Mr. Modi said the G20 must continue according priority to combating corruption and sought the implementation of the Common Reporting Standard based on Automatic Exchange of Tax Information by all countries.

On trade and energy, Mr. Modi said the Doha Development Round should achieve its goals. He wanted all elements of the Bali package to be implemented fully.

Without naming the U.S.-backed Trans Pacific Partnership, he said regional trade agreements should not lead to fragmentation of the global trading system and sought support for a more liberalised multilateral trade regime.

He hoped the ratification of the 2010 reforms of the IMF would be completed in the U.S. at the earliest. “The IMF should remain a quota-based institution and not depend on borrowed resources.”

Mr. Modi underscored the need for greater labour mobility and skill portability across countries for global economic growth to be balanced and sustained.

He also sought greater voice for major emerging economies in the global governance structure for energy and said India targeted an additional 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022; a cutback on subsidies for fossil fuel and carbon cess on coal. “By 2030, we have targeted 40 per cent of our energy through non-fossil fuel.”

Higher capital requirements should not hamper financial inclusion or the functioning of the banking sector in developing countries, he said. Effective supervision and better use of technology could help cut capital requirements. “Cyber security is important for the protection of the banking infrastructure.”

He was happy that the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Package was put up for the G20’s endorsement within the agreed timeframe.