'No Place For Double Standards On Terrorism', Says PM Modi At SCO Summit As Xi Looks On

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (4 July) called out China and Pakistan over the issue of terrorism in presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the SCO summit, which is being hosted by India this year, PM Modi urged for a collective fight against all forms of terrorism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the top leaders that attended the virtual summit.

Terrorism has become a major threat for regional as well as global peace, PM Modi said.

"We need to collectively fight against terrorism in all its forms including expression of terrorism," he said.

"Some countries use terrorism as an instrument of their policy, harbour terrorists," PM Modi said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

Pakistan, which was recently removed from the terror finance watchdog FATF's grey list after remaining on it for nearly four years, has long been supporting and financing terror outfits responsible for multiple terror attacks across India.

"The SCO should not hold back from calling out such states," PM Modi said.

"There is no place for double standards on such a serious issue," he added.

PM Modi's statement comes as China has repeatedly blocked multiple attempts by India and the US at the United Nations to designate terrorists operating from Pakistan.

Further, PM Modi also called for increased cooperation among SCO member states to tackle terror financing.

He also sought the SCO member states to actively work for stopping the spread of radicalisation among the youths.