South Asia's development obstructed by ideology promoting terror: Indian PM

Posted:Apr 9, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said that there is an ideology in South Asia which promotes terrorism which is obstructing growth in the whole region.

At an event to honour of martyrs of those killed in Bangladesh's freedom war in 1971, he said there were three main ideologies in South Asia at present.

"Our region is defined by three ideologies, which are a reflection of the thinking of the society and government. One thought is focused on economic development, to take all social groups along. Bangladesh is an example of this.

"The second thought is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (bringing everyone together for development)... Every neighbouring country of India should also prosper; development of India alone will be incomplete," said Modi.

In a reference to Pakistan without naming it, he said there is a third type of mentality that keeps terrorism above humanity.

"There is a mentality in South Asia against this mindset... A mindset that promotes terrorism, which has a value system which is not based on humanity, but on violence and extremism.

"The main aim is to spread terrorism. A mindset in which policy makers feel terrorism is bigger than humanity, destruction is bigger than creation and betrayal is bigger than trust. This mentality is the biggest challenge to peace, social harmony and development. This mentality obstructs development in whole region," Modi said, adding India and Bangladesh are its victims.

"We wish that citizens of all countries move towards development. But for this terrorism, and terrorist mentality has to be abandoned," he added.

Disclaimer: South Asia Monitor does not accept responsibility for the views or ideology expressed in any article, signed or unsigned, which appears on its site. What it does accept is responsibility for giving it a chance to appear and enter the public discourse.

Comments (Total Comments 0) Post Comments

Contributing Articles to South Asia Monitor

Diplomat Speak

‘Strategic miscalculation’ led to exodus of Armenians from India : Ambassador Armen Martirosyan

India’s Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari visited Armenia recently to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In The News

US slams Pakistan for providing 'safe havens' to terror groups

The US has slammed Pakistan for failing to crackdown on terror groups operating from "safe havens" inside its territory, and said the Nawaz Sharif government did not take any action against the LeT and JeM, which continue to operate openly.

Video Gallery

Trump, climate change and India

SAMosa Blogs

China establishes first overseas military base

In dispatching its PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) marines to Djibuti in the Horn of Africa on Wednesday (July 12 ) by amphibious ships, from the southern port of Zhanjiang, China has taken a significant step in enhancing its trans-border military footprint.

Open Forum

Asian nations should place China on notice

It is becoming increasingly obvious that China is experiencing a sort of superiority obsession, imagining it can dominate and conquer the world. Several Chinese acts in the recent past indicate such an attitude. Asian nations, which are now apprehensive about China’s aggressive postures, are unclear how matters will shape up.

Kashmir Watch

The Kashmir imbroglio

It is appalling to see how the struggle for self-determination in Kashmir has been reduced to bitter recriminations between Pakistan and India.

China Factor

How an ambitious China is using its influence to buy complicit silence from US

As Aadhaar becomes the norm in India, and gets skewered for the involuntary nature of its imposition, our northern neighbours, as is their wont, want to do a number that will make this appear benign.

Asia Watch

South Asia’s emerging trajectories

South Asia is situated in a strategically important location and has always been bone of a contention for control by major powers.

Global Watch

RIP Israeli-Palestinian peace process

It was just at the end of spring that the unquiet American President was talking big about being the man who can seal the deal on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Documents

Speech by Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to mark 25 years of India-Singapore partnership on July 11,2017

S.T. Lee Distinguished Lecture of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore on "India, ASEAN and Changing Geopolitics”

Books

Indian foreign policy has moral dimension, Chanakyan realpolitik: Author Aparna Pande...

Interview with Hudson Institute’s Aparna Pande, whose book From Chanakya to Modi: Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy, was released on June 17.

An Indian Muslim's Vedic romance

This is the continuing amazing spiritual journey of a Muslim man from Kerala who plunged into Vedic religion after a chance encounter with a Hindu mystic under a jackfruit tree in the backyard of his house when he was just nine. It is a story w...

Dostum: Afghanistan's brave liberator or violent warlord?...

History is told by the victors but in our modern age, even contemporary events get - or are given - a slant, where some contributors soon get eclipsed from the narrative or their images tarnished.

A surrealistic, supernatural quest in Karachi

Humans have long had a fear of malignant supernatural beings but there may be times when even the latter cannot compare with the sheer evil and destructiveness mortals may be capable of. But then seeking to enable the end of the world due to it...

Reporting from Pakistan: Adventures in a mirror-image land?...

Title: Reporting Pakistan; Author: Meena Menon; Publisher: Viking/Penguin Random House; Pages: 340; Price: Rs 599

Subscribe to our newsletter