Ban countries supporting terrorism from joining G20: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told the G20 that countries supporting terrorism should be banned from the international economic forum, apparently in a reference to Pakistan which is not an invitee to any of the group's meetings.

"Deterrent action should be taken against countries supporting terrorism," Modi said as lead speaker on the theme of terrorism at the leaders' retreat ahead of the 12th G20 Summit here on Saturday. He presented a multi-point agenda for countering terrorism.

"The entry of such countries in the G20 should be banned," he said.

Stating that G20 nations should exchange national lists of designated terrorists, he said that thorough action should be taken against such people.

He said that legal processes, like extradition, against those supporting terrorism should be simplified and expedited.

Modi also called for the immediate adoption of the India-initiated Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN Security Council.

"There should be effective implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and other international actions (against terrorism)," he said.

"There should be detailed efforts by the G20 for de-radicalisation programmes and exchange of best practices."

Modi also called for effective closure of terrorist financing sources and mediums through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other such mechanisms.

"Like the FATF, a Weapons and Explosives Actions Task Force (WEATF) should be be formed so that supply of dangerous weapons to terrorists can be stopped," he said.

"There should be 'concrete cooperation' among G20 nations on cyber security to curb terrorist activities."

Modi also called for the formation of a counter-terror mechanism among the national security advisors of the G20 countries.

Earlier on Friday, speaking at an informal meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on the sidelines of the Summit, he said that the five-nation bloc's leadership was needed in the global fight against climate change and terrorism.

"Strong action should be taken against terror financing, and providing support and safe haven to terrorists," he said.

--IANS

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