Terrorism anywhere in the world and any form is against humanity, and it was saddening that consensus has not been achieved on the definition of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and asserted that “this is time for peace and brotherhood” as a divided world cannot provide solutions to big global challenges.
Addressing the inaugural session of the ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) here, Modi called for ending the crisis in global trust and moving forward with a human-centric approach.
“Everyone is aware of what is happening in various parts of the world. The world is grappling with conflicts and confrontations, such a world full of conflicts and confrontations is not in anyone’s interest. A divided world cannot provide solutions to the big challenges before humanity,” the Prime Minister said.“This is the time for peace, brotherhood, this is the time for moving forward together, this is the time for everyone’s development and welfare. We have to end the crisis over global trust and move forward with a human-centric approach,” he said.
While the Prime Minister did not mention any specific conflict or issue, his remarks come amid a raging war between Israel and Hamas which has already seen a large number of casualties.
Modi also called for taking a tough approach in dealing with terrorism.
“As you know India has been facing the issue of cross-border terrorism for decades. Terrorists have killed thousands of innocents in India. Near the new Parliament building, you will find the old Parliament building. About 20 years ago, terrorists had targeted our Parliament. You will be startled to know that Parliament was in session at that time,” he said.
“Terrorists wanted to take hostage, kill MPs. India has dealt with numerous such terror incidents,” he noted. Now the world is also realising how big a challenge terrorism is for the world, Modi said.
“Terrorism, wherever it may be, for whatever reason, in whatever form, is against humanity. In such a scenario, we will have to adopt a tough approach in dealing with terrorism,” he said.
Modi said it was saddening that consensus has not been achieved on the definition of terrorism.
“Today also, in the UN, the international convention on combating terrorism is waiting for consensus,” he said and added that “enemies of humanity” are taking advantage of this approach of the world.
Prime Minister Modi’s remarks come amid the escalating violence in the West Asia after multi-pronged attacks against Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza and the subsequent Israeli retaliation that has left around 2,600 people dead. Israel has launched a massive counter-offensive in Gaza to avenge the attacks by Hamas.
The sudden escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hamas has triggered global concerns. Leading powers like Germany, the US, France and the UK emphasised the importance of preventing the situation from further escalation.
In his address, Modi said Parliaments and representatives across the globe will have to think about how they can work together in this fight against terrorism.