(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Pakistan should create appropriate atmosphere for bilateral dialogue says Narendra Modi at UN General Assembly.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that he wants to hold bilateral talks with neighbouring Pakistan “without a shadow of terrorism” a day after Pakistan’s prime minister expressed frustration over stalled talks over Kashmir.
Last month India announced it was withdrawing from the planned peace talks about the disputed Himalayan region between the two nuclear-armed neighbors because of plans by Pakistan to consult Kashmiri separatists ahead of the meeting.
“I want to hold bilateral talks to improve friendship and cooperation in all seriousness and in an atmosphere of peace without a shadow of terrorism” Modi speaking in Hindi told the United Nations General Assembly in his first address to the world body.
“But this is also the duty of Pakistan to come forward and create an appropriate atmosphere and with all seriousness come forward for a bilateral dialogue” he said.
India says Pakistan supports separatist militants that cross the Line of Control which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan-controlled regions from the Pakistan side to attack Indian forces.
Modi appeared to chastise Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had used his own General Assembly address on Friday to blame India for the collapse of the latest talks over Kashmir.
“By raising this issue in this forum” Modi said “I don’t know how serious our efforts will be and some people are doubtful about it.”
Modi is due to have private meetings with the prime ministers of Nepal and Bangladesh and the president of Sri Lanka on Saturday in New York but no meetings are planned with Sharif or other Pakistani officials according to the Indian delegation.
Talking tough Narendra Modi pitched for a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism as he decried those states who continue to allow terrorist sanctuaries on their soil or use terrorism as instruments of their policy.
Asking the world to rise above politics divisions discrimination and distinction between good and bad terrorists Modi called for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations.
“This is a time of great flux and change. The world is witnessing tensions and turmoil on a scale rarely seen in recent history” Modi said.
He welcomed efforts to combat terrorism’s resurgence in West Asia which is affecting countries near and far.
“Even today states allow terrorist sanctuaries on their territory or use terrorism as instruments of their policy” Modi said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
The effort should involve the support of all countries in the region he said adding the UN should ensure that there will be peace stability and order in the outer space and cyber space.
“We should work together to ensure that all countries observe international rules and norms” he said. Modi pointed out that terrorism is taking new shape and new name and that no country big or small in the north or the south east or west is free from its threat.
There are no major wars but tensions and conflicts abound and there is absence of real peace and uncertainty about the future he said.
“We should put aside our differences and mount a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism. As a symbol of this effort I urge you to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism” he said.
Modi said an integrating Asia Pacific region is still concerned about maritime security that is fundamental to its future.
Europe faces risk of new division he stressed adding that in West Asia extremism and fault lines are growing.
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