G20 Summit: PM Modi Hints at Pakistan's Role in Spreading Terror in South Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hinted at Pakistan's role in spreading terror in South Asia during his speech at the ongoing G20 summit.

"Growing forces of violence and terror pose a fundamental challenge. There are some nations that use it as an instrument of state policy," said PM Modi at the final session of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou in China.

"Indeed, one single nation in South Asia is spreading these agents of terror in the countries of our region," he said, clearly indicating which country he was referring to.

"India has a policy of zero tolerance to terrorism because anything less than that is not enough," he added.

"We expect the international community to speak and act in unity, and to respond with urgency to fight this menace. Those who sponsor and support terrorism must be isolated and sanctioned, not rewarded," Modi said in his intervention during the concluding session of the meeting of the world's 20 strong economies.

Modi's remarks came a day after India called on other BRICS members to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism.

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Modi on Sunday had demanded "coordinated actions" by the grouping to "isolate supporters and sponsors of terror".

Congress Party was quick to downplay PM Modi's remarks at G-20. "There is nothing new in PM Modi's remark that Pakistan is spreading terrorism. If so, why did he visit Lahore in the First place," said Congress spokesperson, Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Indian Prime Minister's comments at G20 come against the backdrop of escalating war of words between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the continuing unrest in the Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces.

(With inputs from PTI)