Religion should be delinked from terror: Modi

He underlined the need for ensuring that Internet does not become a “recruiting ground” for terrorism, amid the growing trend of ISIS luring youth from across the globe, and spoke about the world coming together to use “military force” and “international legal systems” to fight the menace.

Addressing the Indian diaspora on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia, Modi said India draws strength from its diversity and that his government is working to create an environment where enterprise flourishes and everybody gets basic needs like roof, sanitation, water, health care and education. He said development in India is “gathering speed now” amid the global slowdown and the country is growing at 7.5 per cent with faster growth expected.

Talking about terrorism, he said it is the “biggest threat to the world today. It knows no boundaries. It uses the name of religion to draw people to its cause but kills people of all faiths.” He went on to add: “We have to delink religion from terror. The only distinction is between those who believe in humanity and who does not.... We also have to work within the society, especially the youth.” Pitching for a united global fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister said it should be ensured that “no country promotes terrorism, there is no sanctuary, and there is no arms.”

He added, “The world must come together to combat the biggest challenge of our times....We can strengthen intelligence cooperation, we can use military force, we can make legal systems for making cooperation stronger.”