Kuala Lumpur, Nov 22 Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Sunday called for a new global resolve to fight terrorism and
spoke of the need for unimpeded commerce in the Asia Pacific and the
Indian Ocean regions.
Modi had a hectic schedule on the second
day of his visit to Malaysia, addressing the 10th East Asia Summit
(EAS), unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda, meeting Malay-Indian
political leaders and delivering a speech to a diaspora gathering in
which he sought to revitalise the bonds between India and the
Indian-origin people in this southeast Asian nation.
Besides
India, the countries that participate in the annual East Asia Summit
held immediately after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) Summit are Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia,
Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.
In his
address at the East Asia Summit, Modi said "the barbaric terrorist
strikes" in Paris, Ankara, Beirut, Mali and on the Russian aircraft that
was brought down in Egypt's Sinai last month were a stark reminder that
the shadow of terror stretched across the world.
"We must build
new global resolve and new strategies for combating terrorism, without
balancing it against political considerations," the prime minister
added.
Without naming Pakistan, he said no country should use or support terrorism.
"There
is no distinction between groups. There are no sanctuaries. There are
no funds. There is no access to arms. But, we also have to work within
our societies and with our youth. I welcome the commitment to de-link
religion from terrorism and the efforts to promote human values that
define every faith," Modi said.
Stating that since his government
came to power 18 months ago, no region has seen greater engagement from
India than the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean regions, Modi outlined
his vision of five elements for an Asian century, including a regional
architecture for security cooperation.
Describing the ocean as a
pathway to peace and prosperity, Modi said India shares with Asean
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) "a commitment to freedom of
navigation, overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with
accepted principles of international law..."
Referring to the
disputes in the South China Sea, Modi said India hoped that all parties
will abide by the declaration on the conduct and the guidelines on the
implementation.
"Parties must also redouble efforts for early adoption of a Code of Conduct on the basis of consensus," he said.
He also sought an early conclusion of a regional comprehensive economic partnership.
Later
in his address to the diaspora, Modi sought to enhance India's connect
with the people of Indian origin in Malaysia with a lavish praise for
their accomplishments and a string of announcements, including naming a
cultural centre here after freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
and one million dollar as additional fund to corpus of India-students
Trust Fund.
Of the nearly 30 million population of Malaysia, around two million people are of Indian origin.
As
over 15,000 people of Indian origin chanted "Modi, Modi" at the
Malaysian International Exhibition and Convention Centre here, the
Indian prime minister acknowledged the large proportion of people of
Tamil majority among the Indian diaspora in this southeast Asian nation
by starting with the greeting, "Vanakkam".
Modi said his
government was prepared to work with the Malaysian government to build a
memorial to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in Malaysia
during World War II.
He said India and Malaysia should recognise
each other's degrees, on which he would talk with Malaysian Prime
Minister Najib Razak.
He talked of India and Malaysia drawing strength from their respective diversities.
"India
is nation where everyone has equal rights that the constitution
guarantees, the court protects and government defends," Modi said.
He also spoke on the issue of terrorism, describing it as the biggest threat to the world today.
Modi said independent India owed a debt of gratitude to Malay-Indians.
"Your forefathers in thousands came forward to join Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army."
"India is not confined to its territory. India exists in every Indian in every part of the world," he added.
While
unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Ramakrishna Mission
complex here, he said that people should instil the values of the great
Indian sage and philosopher in their mind and soul.
He met a delegation of the Malaysian Indian Congress and other Malay-Indian parliamentarians and lawmakers.
Modi wraps up his Malaysia visit on Monday and leaves for Singapore on the second and last leg of his tour.
