Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined US President Barack Obama and other world leaders to seek urgent and united global efforts to combat terrorism as the gruesome Paris attacks, war in Syria and the fight against Islamic State militants overshadowed the G20 Summit.
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The meeting of leaders from 20 top economies, which was to discuss inclusive economic growth and climate change, will adopt a resolution at the end of the two-day meeting tomorrow calling for better coordination and exchange of information to cut off funding and a more comprehensive approach on "addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism". The resolution on terror would be separate from the main summit declaration, officials said.
Modi said the meeting was being held under "the tragic shadow of dreadful acts of terrorism" and leaders were "united by a sense of shock, pain and outrage". "We are united in condemning the barbaric attacks in Paris this week and the recent bombings in Ankara and Lebanon. We share the sorrow of Russia for the lost lives in the fallen aircraft in Sinai," he said. "These alone are a stark reminder of the dark force we face—larger than specific groups and particular targets and territories," he said.
"It is a major global challenge of our times. It not only takes a tragic toll on lives, it also extracts a huge economic cost and threatens our way of life. It calls for a comprehensive global response. Combating it must be a major priority for G20," Modi said.
Earlier at a meeting of BRICS leaders on the sidelines of G20 Summit, he said, "The entire humanity must stand together as one against terrorism. The need for a united global effort to combat terrorism has never been more urgent. This must also be a priority for BRICS nations."
The declaration after the G20 talks may seek quicker implementation of the financial action task force recommendations that seek to stop individuals sending money to groups such as the ISIS and tackle the black market for oil that is seen as being key to their funding.
It also plans to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology, communications and resources to incite terrorist acts, including through the Internet.
Obama pledged to redouble efforts to eliminate the Islamic State and end the Syrian civil war that has fuelled the rise of the jihadist network. He described Paris terror strikes as "attack on the civilised world" and said "the skies have been darkened" by the horrific assault.
He pledged solidarity with French President Francois Hollande in the effort to hunt down the perpetrators of Paris attacks and bring them to justice. Hollande had to cancel his plans to attend the G20 Summit due to Parris attacks, in which at least 129 were killed and hundreds others were injured. The attacks were later owned up by the ISIS.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he would soon submit to the UN General Assembly a comprehensive plan to deal with violent extremism and terrorism.
He said, “I wish to stress the world leaders that our response to these to be robust and promise within the rule and will respect for human rights, otherwise we will only fan the fight we are trying to protect.
“We also need to address the underline drivers of violent extremism. I will soon present to the members states of the UN a comprehensive plan of action to prevent violent extremism… the action that will only protect the cite of extremity and violence.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "We have all seen the horror that took place recently in Paris and we sympathise with the affected people.” Russia is "always in favour of joining efforts to deal effectively with the terrorist threat," he said. "Of course it is necessary to act in strict accordance with the United Nations."
Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "We will work more closely with the international community to reject and fight terrorism in all its manifestations."
The summit will still talk about the current state of the global economy, sustainable growth, development and climate change, investment, trade and energy, besides the refugee crisis. Modi also outlined India's plan for action on climate change and approach to the upcoming Climate Summit in Paris. Several leaders also made a strong call for attending the upcoming Climate Summit in the French capital.
During the G20 meeting, some world leaders are expected to voice concern over the delay in implementation of the quota reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aimed at giving more voice and voting power to the emerging economies as well as providing a pitch for cutting transaction cost for transferring money from abroad.
China has also pitched for IMF quota reforms and wants the G20 to reform the voting rights at the multilateral lending agency to give emerging economies a larger role. — PTI
Entire humanity stands united
"We stand united in strongly condemning the dreadful acts of terrorism in Paris... The entire humanity must stand together as one against terrorism. The need for a united global effort to combat terrorism has never been more urgent" Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Will redouble efforts against jihadists
"The killing of innocent people based on a twisted ideology is an attack not just on France, not just on Turkey, but it is an attack on the civilised world. We vow to redouble efforts to eliminate the ISIS jihadist network" Barack Obama, US President
Will join efforts to deal with terror threat: Putin
"We have all seen the horror that took place recently in Paris and we sympathise with the affected people. Russia is always in favour of joining efforts to deal effectively with the terrorist threat" Vladimir Putin, Russian President
