Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at Pakistan for its support to terrorism and said that India's decision to nullify Article 370 has caused trouble to those who cannot handle their own country as he called for a decisive battle against terrorism. Making a strong pitch against terrorism at the 'Howdy, Modi' event in the presence of US president Donald Trump, who joined the mega event in a rare gesture of friendship, Modi asked crowd to give Trump a standing ovation, as he targeted Pakistan and its Prime Minister Imran Khan, without directly naming them.
"Article 370 encouraged terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir," he said, asserting that its nullification will allow development and prosperity in the region and end discrimination against women, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. "Where do you find conspirators of 9/11 and 26/11 terror attacks?" Modi asked referring to terror attacks in the US and Mumbai and called for a "decisive battle" against terrorism.
He also asked people to give a standing ovation to Indian parliamentarians for their nod to revoking Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Modi also underscored his government's push for development in India, saying it is the "most-discussed" word in the country as his government is "aiming high and achieving higher".
Addressing a huge cheering crowd, which organizers said totaled over 50,000, Modi said the presence of such a big gathering is not confined to arithmetic and that people are seeing "new history and chemistry" being made. US president Donald Trump, in his address, vowed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamist terrorism and said border security is vital to both America and India as he emphasised on bolstering further the India-US security relationship. Trump said the two countries will soon sign several defence deals to bolster their relationship.
We are committed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamist terrorism," the US president said. "India and US also understand that to keep our community safe, we must protect our borders. Border security is vital to the United States. Border security is vital to India. And we understand that," Trump said as Modi was seen clapping. India accuses Pakistan of providing safe haven to the terror groups, which carry out attacks in the neighbouring countries.
Modi said he met Trump a few times and every time he has been warm, friendly, accessible, energetic and full of wit. "And I can say I had a chance to meet him often and every time I found the friendliness, the warmth and the energy," he said.
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