“There should be a resolve to isolate those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them honestly,” Modi said, while addressing MPs in British Parliament’s Royal Gallery. In what appeared to be a veiled jibe at Pakistan.
“We need a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent and every effort to de-link religion and terrorism,” the Indian premier added, according to NDTV.
Modi, who is the first Indian prime minister to visit UK in 10 years, said the world must act in unison to combat terrorism, calling it a “challenge of our times”.
Speaking on terrorism among other subjects during his 25-minute speech, the Indian premier urged there should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations.
“The world must speak in one voice and act in unison to combat this challenge of our times,” he said, adding that terrorism and extremism are a global force that are larger than their changing names, groups, territories and targets.
“We must adopt a comprehensive convention on international terrorism in the UN without delay. There should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations,” Modi said.
Britain and India welcomed billions of pounds worth of trade deals during Modi’s visit, but his arrival on Thursday was overshadowed by protests over a perceived rise in intolerance back home. His visit comes at a time when a debate is raging in India over accusations that Modi is failing to rein in Hindu zealots trying to impose their values on all Indians.
As Modi and Cameron shook hands for the cameras outside 10 Downing Street, a crowd of about 200 protesters could be heard shouting anti-Modi slogans nearby.
The demonstrators held up banners with messages such as “Modi you are killing Indian democracy” and “Stop religious persecution in India”.
Asked about these concerns at his joint news conference with Cameron, Modi said India was a vibrant democracy in which individual rights were guaranteed by the constitution.
“There is something that is deeply entrenched in our culture, in our traditions, which is that of not accepting anything that has to do with intolerance,” he said, adding that violent incidents would not be tolerated.
Critics have accused Modi of remaining silent about incidents such as the recent deaths of four people attacked by Hindus enraged at reports of cows being slaughtered, smuggled or consumed, and the separate shootings of two prominent atheists.
Before his arrival in Britain, more than 200 writers including Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan signed an open letter to Cameron urging him to raise concerns about freedom of expression in India during his talks with Modi.
About 45 British members of parliament, including opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, signed a motion to debate India’s human rights record.
In a scene eerily reminiscent of Naville Chamberlain’s visit to Nazi Germany, the British government, however, rolled out the red carpet for Modi, who was greeted in the grand courtyard of the Treasury by a guard of honour wearing ceremonial bearskin headgear.
