Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called the “export of terror” a “common security threat” to society at the 14th summit of the Association of South East Nations in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Modi said terrorism along with “growing radicalisation and [the] spread of extreme violence” presented a “local, regional and transitional” security threat, PTI reported.
“Our partnership with Asean seeks to craft a response through coordination, cooperation at multiple levels,” the prime minister said, adding that the Asian bloc is central to New Delhi’s Act East policy. India’s engagement with the organisation is guided by the “common priorities [of] bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the region”, Modi said, noting that the country also wanted to deepen its cooperation in areas such as “cyber-security, de-radicalisation and counter-terrorism”. “Political security cooperation is a key emergent pillar of our relationships,” he said.
Modi’s remarks came just three days after he referred to terrorism emanating from South Asia as “the primary source of instability and the biggest threat to our society and countries,” at an informal gathering of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) representatives on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China. The prime minister attempted to isolate Pakistan on the issue by referring to Islamabad as the “single nation” spreading terror in the region.
Modi has also held several bilateral meetings with foreign leaders at the summit, including Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Modi’s meeting with Suu Kyi came after Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw in August assured New Delhi that no insurgent group would be allowed to use its territory to attack India. He is also expected to hold a meeting United States President Barack Obama later on Thursday, PTI reported.
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