Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing members of the Indian community at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre. (PTI photo)
On the heels of the attack in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong message on terror today during his ongoing visit to Malaysia -- first at the ASEAN summit and then reinforcing it in his address to the Indian diaspora.
Terror is the "biggest threat" the world faces today and it should be delinked from religion, PM Modi told a huge gathering of expat Indians in Kuala Lumpur.
"We have to delink religion from terror. The only distinction is between those who believe in humanity and those who do not," the Prime Minister said at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre, adding. "Terrorism knows no boundary, uses religion but kills people of all faith".
Without naming Pakistan, he said, "When I say world must come together, it also means no country should promote terrorism."
The Prime Minister sounded the same warning at the East Asia Summit this morning. "No country should use or supports terrorism. We must build new global resolve and new strategies for combating terrorism, without balancing it against political considerations," he had said.
Terror had cast its shadow in the recently held G20 summit in Turkey too, with the migrant crisis in Europe and the war in Syria occupying the limelight. Days before, the Islamic State had struck at the heart of Paris, killing 129 people and injuring hundreds in a series of seven attacks.
"The barbaric terrorist strikes in Paris, Ankara, Beirut, Mali and on the Russian aircraft is a stark reminder that its shadow stretches across our societies and our world, both in recruitment and choice of targets," the Prime Minister today said.
UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, who attended the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, said he would unveil a comprehensive plan to fight terror next year.
Russia and the US have come to a consensus on the ongoing war in Syria. US President Barack Obama, who was present at ASEAN today, said, "The question at this point is whether (Russia) can make the strategic adjustment that allows them to be effective partners with us and the other 65 countries," he said.