‘We must overcome forces exporting terror,’ PM Modi’s veiled attack on Pakistan in US Congress

While addressing a joint session of the US Congress on Thursday (US local time), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at powers “sponsoring and exporting terror”.

While delivering his hour-long speech to the US Congressmen, PM Modi said, “Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror.”

Earlier, during a press conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House, PM Modi said that India and the US are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and radicalism.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

PM Modi also said that after having bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House, they have agreed upon taking concerted action necessary to end cross-border terrorism, in a subtle reference to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that has targeted the Indian Union Territory of Kashmir for decades.

PM Modi’s remarks came days after China blocked a joint proposal by India and the US to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. Mir is wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which US citizens were also killed. In September last year, China put a halt on the proposal, and now it has blocked the proposal altogether.

Last month, in an interview with Nikkei Asia, PM Modi said he wants to have a “normal and neighbourly” relationship with Pakistan. However, he added that “the onus is on Pakistan to take necessary steps in this regard”.

PM Modi also stated that "it is incumbent upon them (Pakistan) to create a conducive environment free from terrorism and hostilities”.

Indiahas on multiple occasionsraised its concern over Pakistan’s support to various terror groups and has repeatedly asserted that terror and peace talks can’t go hand-in-hand.

In early May, when India hosted Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO), India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar called him the "promoter, justifier and spokesperson of a terrorism industry".

“Victims of terrorism do not sit together with its perpetrators to discuss terrorism," Jaishankar had said after a meeting of foreign ministers of the member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa.

Pakistan actively supports terrorism on its soil and arms and sends terrorists to Jammu and Kashmir. It is evident from the fact that Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Masood Azhar, and several other terrorists have found safe havens in Pakistan for decades and continue to enjoy covert state support.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE