Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that one nation has been responsible for spreading terrorism in Asia, while addressing a rally during the Bharatiya Janata Party National Executive in Kozhikode, Kerala. He added that one country in the region was standing in the way of Asia's growth, and that news of terrorism always included a mention of that nation. Modi also said that Osama Bin Laden had also gone to that country after "the act". Bin Laden had orchestrated the attack in New York on September 11, 2001, that killed more than 2,000 people.
Narendra Modi said 110 fidayeen were killed while attempting to cross the border, and that there have been 17 infiltration by militants in India this year. He said there is anger in India following the attack in Uri and that the incident would not be forgiven.
In a significant move, Modi in his speech took to addressing the people of Pakistan directly, and said the country could not handle its own regions like Baloch and Gilgit, but had attempted to interfere with India's policy with regard to Jammu and Kashmir. He also said the war that should be fought is to see which of the two countries could defeat poverty first. Modi added that while India was known for sending engineers abroad, Pakistan had become notorious for exporting terrorism.
He said India had been "successful in isolating" the neighbouring country and that India will continue to make sure that Pakistan was excluded globally. The prime minister ended his speech by saying that one day the people of Pakistan would themselves fight terror in their country.
Earlier in the day, Modi met the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force Chiefs of Staff to discuss the security situation in Kashmir and discuss strategy regarding India’s response to the recent militant attack in Uri that killed 18 Indian soldiers. Those present at the meeting at the prime minister’s residence included Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral KB Singh.
The meeting came almost a week after the militant strike for which India has held Paskistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad responsible. However, defence officials told PTI that it was “a routine” meeting that they have with the prime minister every month.
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