Modi warns ‘neighbours’ against following ‘good terror, bad terror’ policy

DUBAI: Addressing over 25,000 Indians at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night said “good Taliban, bad Taliban...good terror, bad terror...this won’t work [anymore]”.

Thousands of others watched on giant screens outside the Dubai Cricket Stadium in the economic hub of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Indians, many of them labourers, account for about 30 pe rcent of the eight-million population.

Modi is the first Indian premier to visit the UAE in more than three decades. The late Indira Gandhi travelled to the Emirates in 1981.

During a two-day visit, he met with Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi.

“A decision has to be taken... Are you with terrorism or with humanity,” said the Indian premier.

In a message to ‘neighbours’, he said issues relating to neighbouring countries can only be resolved on the dialogue table. “Afghanistan is our neighbour…Our priority is to establish good ties with neighbouring countries,” he added.

“All those who are on the path of violence should shun it and come to the national mainstream. Violence will do no good to anybody,” said Modi.

The Indian PM said that time was ripe for a decisive fight against terrorism, adding that the international community should decide whether they are with those sponsoring terrorism or against it.

“World needs to unite and fight against terrorism.”

PM Modi said India has been a victim of terrorism for the last 40 years and innocent people have lost their lives in doing so.

Leaving a message for ‘perpetrators of terror’, Narendra Modi said those who indulge in terrorism must be punished. “This is the message that has resonated from here today,” he said.