Lamenting that the UN has been unable to define terrorism in 70 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said if it takes so long in doing so, then how many years will be required to deal with the menace.
“We put pressure on the UN. The UN is celebrating its 70th anniversary but till now it has not been able to arrive at a definition for terrorism. If defining it takes so much time, then how many years will it take to to tackle terrorism,” Modi said in his speech at the SAP Centre here.
It is the UN’s responsibility to spell out clearly who it considers a terrorist so that the international community can chart out its path to usher in peace, he said.
“At a time when we are observing the 70th anniversary of the UN, it is the world body’s responsibility to come out in clear terms who it considers a terrorist and who is on the side of humanity. Once it has to be made clear so that the world can decide which path it should follow and only then peace will prevail,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said he was hopeful that the UN will not be able to further delay a decision on such a serious issue.
“Humanist forces in the world will have to put pressure so that it is decided in black and white what is terrorism. Since there is no definition, talk about good terrorism and bad terrorism is going on. We cannot protect humanity with this good and bad terrorism,” Modi said, adding, “terrorism is terrorism”.
Observing that India has been a victim of terrorism for the past 40 years, Modi said the West and many other countries woke up to the menace of terrorism only after they faced bomb blasts or terror attacks.
“We cannot let 21st century to be stained with terrorism,” Modi said, adding, “the world has to stand united in tackling terrorism.”
Noting that India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha who preached peace and non-violence to the world, he said, “the world has to realise that terrorism can hit anyone at anyplace, and it is the world’s responsibility to recognise it and unite against terrorism.”
Indian diaspora and several top American lawmakers were present on the occasion.