Coming out in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tough stand on cross-border terrorism, Sri lankan premier Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday said that not only India but the whole of South Asian region is going through a crucial phase, and his Government will work with New Delhi to help make the region terror free. Wickremesinghe credited Modi for taking strong steps to diffuse the tension in the region and added that war is not an option for anyone.
“Cross-border terrorism is on the table. SAARC has to look at it and discuss what has happened (cancellation of the SAARC meet). How we are going to handle it...SAARC has to decide on two issues —cross-border terrorism and areas in which we can work together. If we don’t do it, there is no future for SAARC,” he said during an interaction with the media after talks with Modi on key regional and bilateral issues.
The lankan PM is in New Delhi to attend the India Economic Summit. However, a day before the event, the two PMs had a long discussion over lunch on the prevailing security situation in South Asia, particularly the terror threats faced by India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
It is learnt, Modi explained to the lankan PM India’s position on the cross-border terror activities and the recent surgical strikes that the Indian Army had to carry out against terrorists who were ready to intrude into India to create mayhem. In this regard, there was an agreement among the two leaders on increasing cooperation in combating terrorism.
“Yours is a country affected by terrorism. It takes a lot of time to overcome it. We commended PM (Modi). We have no difference with Indian Government on cross-border terrorism. let us go for a situation where there is no cross-border terrorism. It is process that takes time but it can happen. My take like your PM (Modi) is to end cross-border terrorism. let us make region better and make life easier for people,” the lankan PM said.
Expressing concerns over the prevailing security situation in the South Asia, lanka had urged upon members states of SAARC to create conducive atmosphere for the 19th SAARC Summit to take place. While lanka did not name any country directly, the obvious reference was Pakistan.