State actors working with terrorists biggest risk, says Modi

WASHINGTON: Taking a tough stand on stand on terrorism, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there will be no deterrence against nuclear terrorism without prevention and prosecution of terror acts. In a veiled reference to Pakistan, Mr Modi also said that state actors working with nuclear traffickers and terrorists as the biggest risk to security. “Drop the notion that terrorism is someone else’s problem and that ‘his’ terrorist is not ‘my’ terrorist,” Mr Modi said at a dinner hosted for the visiting world leaders by US President Barack Obama.

Praising Mr Obama for putting the spotlight on nuclear security and for his service to the global community, Mr Modi said that the deadly Brussels attack was the prime example of how real and immediate is the threat to nuclear security from terrorism. The summit marks Mr Obama’s final nuclear summit as he nears the end of his second term in the White House.

“First, today’s terrorism uses extreme violence as theatre. Second, we are no longer looking for a man in a cave, but we are hunting for a terrorist in a city with a computer or a smart phone. Third, State actors working with nuclear traffickers and terrorists present the greatest risk,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Mr Modi also called on countries to abide by international obligations on nuclear security. “Terrorism is globally networked. But, we still act only nationally to counter this threat,” he told the international community.

“Terror has evolved. Terrorists are using 21st century technology. But our responses are rooted in the past. Drop the notion that terrorism is someone else’s problem and that ‘his’ terrorist is not ‘my’ terrorist. Nuclear security must remain an abiding national priority,” he said.

Mr Modi was seated next to Obama during the White House dinner which was attended by heads of States of more than 20 countries in the US capital for the fourth edition of the Nuclear Security Summit.

“Interacted with world leaders at the NSS dinner at the White House. Shared my thoughts on the threat of nuclear terrorism,” Mr Modi tweeted.

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