'Terror hurts all': Modi calls for peace amid crisis in West Asia

The world has started to realise that terrorism in any part of the world, in any manifestation or for any reason is an act against humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, as he called for peace and brotherhood against the backdrop of a fierce conflict raging in West Asia that has killed thousands.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

Addressing the P20 summit of parliamentary leaders of G20 states and guest countries at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Delhi, Modi urged all parliaments and their representatives to come together against terrorism and pointed out that the perpetrators of terror are taking advantage of the lack of global consensus on the definition of terrorism.

"Now the world has started to realise how terrorism poses a grave threat to this world. Whichever part it might be, whatever might be the manifestation of the reasons and in whichever form, terrorism is against humanity. We have to continue to fight against terrorism," Modi said.

"This is the time for peace, brotherhood, this is the time for moving forward together, this is the time for everyone's development and welfare. We have to end the crisis over global trust and move forward with a human-centric approach," he added.

Modi did not mention Israel or Palestine but his comments came amid spiralling violence following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel last weekend that killed over 1,300 people, mostly civilians. Hamas fighters took about 150 people hostage in the worst terror attack in nearly half a century. In retaliation, the Israeli military targeted the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave of Gaza, killing more than 1,700 people ahead of an expected ground invasion.

Modi earlier denounced the Hamas assault as "terrorist attacks" and told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that India stands in solidarity with Israel. On Thursday, the external affairs ministry too described the assault as a "terrorist attack", but said India has always backed direct negotiations for establishing a sovereign state of Palestine that can exist side-by-side with Israel.