There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists: PM Modi at BRICS

Rio de Janeiro, Jul 6 (PTI) Victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be weighed on the same scale and there should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the BRICS Summit on Sunday.

In an address at a session on peace and security, Modi said the "cowardly" Pahalgam terror attack was a direct strike on the "soul, identity and dignity" of India.

"This attack was a blow not only on India but on the entire humanity," he said adding "condemning terrorism should be our ‘principle', not just a 'convenience'".

"If we first see in which country the attack took place, against whom, then it would be a betrayal against humanity," Modi said.

The prime minister forcefully called for united efforts to combat terrorism and said there should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists.

"The victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be weighed on the same scale," he said.

Modi underlined that there should be no difference between words and actions regarding terrorism.

"If we cannot do this, then the question naturally arises whether we are serious about the fight against terrorism or not," he said.

The prime minister expressed his "heartfelt gratitude" to the friendly countries who stood with India and supported it following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

In his remarks, Modi also expressed serious concerns over the situation in Gaza.

"The humanitarian situation in Gaza is a cause of great concern," he said. PTI MPB GSP GSP