SEOUL: With the nation’s attention focused on the Kashmir terror attack, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the world to join hands to eliminate the scourge of terrorism which respects no borders.The prime minister’s strongly-worded exhortation to the world to “join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, and to counter terrorist ideology and propaganda,” came in his speech after he received the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize in the South Korean capital on February 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the 14 recipient of the Seoul Peace Prize, and he is in distinguished company, with the prize being conferred earlier on world statesman like German Chancellor Angela Markel and former UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon.Applauding the role played by Mr Modi for boosting the Indian and global economy, the Award committee lauded “Modinomics” and recognized his efforts to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in society.
While praising the contribution of Mr Modi in peace-building, the committee highlighted his role in “promoting global peace and harmony through inclusive economic growth and improving quality of life.”
A short documentary on Mr Modi’s life was also shown during the gala ceremony.Mr Modi dedicated the award money to his pet project of cleaning the sacred river Ganga. “The award belongs to the success that India has achieved in the less than five years, powered by the strengths and skills of one point three billion Indians.”
With India and the world closely watching his next moves in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, engineered by Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish e-Mohammad, Mr Modi spoke about how cross-border terrorism has threatened to derail India’s progress.“Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of cross-border strife. Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been de-railed by cross-border terrorism,” he said.
“While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders. The time has come for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, and to counter terrorist ideology and propaganda.”
“Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development; and, transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a post-card for peace.”Mr Modi’s visit to Seoul has placed India-South Korea relations onto a higher trajectory. India and South Korea signed seven agreements to enhance cooperation in diverse areas, including infrastructure development, media, start-ups and combating trans-border and international crime.
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