At US Congress: Modi urges stronger anti-terror partnership

Indian PM calls for isolating those harbouring, supporting terrorists in region

WASHINGTON: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States on Wednesday in an address to the US Congress where he stressed the importance of isolating anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists.

“The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels. And the traditional tools of military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight,” Modi told a rare joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

“We have both lost civilians and soldiers in combating it. The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation,” Modi said.

The Indian premier dedicated much of his speech to the importance of fighting terrorism, making serious points about neighbour and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism.

“I commend the members of the US Congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains,” he said, not mentioning either country by name.

He pointedly urged his new US friends to see India’s long stand-off with neighbouring Pakistan through the prism of what he called Islamabad’s history of support for extremism.

He thanked Congress for what he said was its support when “terrorists from across our border” launched the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.

“Globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat,” he argued before the body that must authorise American arms sales to Pakistan.

“In the territory stretching from west of India’s border to Africa, it may go by different names, from Laskhar-e-Taiba, to the Taliban to ISIS.”

Lashkar-e-Taiba is a banned terror group blamed for attacks inside India, the Afghan Taliban allegedly use safe havens in Pakistan and ISIS, or the so-called Islamic State, has opened a South Asian affiliate.

In a speech interrupted by cheers and at least eight standing ovations, Modi said deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who supports terrorism that is “incubated in India’s neighbourhood.”

“Refusing to reward them [terror incubators] is the first step towards holding them accountable for their actions.”

Although he did not mention Pakistan, that line was greeted with applause from the US lawmakers, many of whom are increasingly frustrated with what they see as Islamabad’s failure to crack down on militants behind attacks on American troops in Afghanistan.

Modi also stressed that India is committed to helping rebuild a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2016.