India, UAE agree to crack down on terrorism; PM Modi takes dig at Pakistan

Abu Dhabi: In a significant move, India and the UAE yesterday agreed to cooperate in cracking down on terrorism and radicalisation, and called on all nations to dismantle terrorism infrastructure where they exist and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice, in what is being seen as a veiled message to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the India-UAE joint statement is clear in its message ‘without caring for anyone’. In a veiled swipe at Pakistan, Modi, while addressing a massive diaspora event in the evening, said India and the UAE have come out against terrorism, ‘without any camouflage, in clear terms, without caring for anyone, given a clear message against terrorism’.

Addressing thousands of cheering Indian diaspora at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, Modi said in a jibe at Pakistan, that ‘those who need to understand will do so’ – the message of the joint statement against terrorism.

“Samajhnewale samajh jayengey. Akalmand ko ishara kafi hai,” he said. In the joint statement, issued after talks between Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed AI Nahyan here, India and the UAE also agreed to promote investment, including through the establishment of a UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund of USD 75 billion for supporting projects in India in the sector of railways, ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors and parks.

The statement said the visit of an Indian Prime Minister to UAE after 34 years marks the beginning of a new and comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two nations rejected extremism and any link between religion and terrorism. Both sides condemned efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries.

Both sides denounce and oppose terrorism in all forms and manifestations, said the joint statement. India and the UAE call on all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries, it said.