Seoul, Feb 22 (UNI) "Shichagi Bhanida ......", - Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Friday referring to a Korean saying meaning -- "A good beginning is half the battle''.This came on a day when the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution condemning the Pulwama attack and urging Pakistan to take convincing steps to intensify its actions against terror groups.
Addressing an impressive gathering after receiving the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize here, the Prime Minister said "time has come" for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, and to counter terrorist ideology and propaganda.
"Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development and transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a post-card for peace," he said.
Earlier in a joint media briefing with the South Koren President Moon Jae-in, the Prime Minister said "Ab samay aa gaya hae ki vaishwik samuday....batton se agey barkar, is samasya ke virodh mein ek jut hokar karwa-wahi karey (Now the time has come for the global community to go beyond mere talks and stay united and take concrete actions against terror menace)".
Prime Minister's resolute remarks hours came after the UN Security Council named JeM, which claimed responsibility for February 14 terror attack, and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.
India’s permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted to say that the UNSC statement had "many firsts takes more time than expected".
"In complex diplomatic situations, however, it is better to be late than never,” Akbaruddin wrote.
Sources said the UNSC resolution was adopted despite Pakistan lobbying with UNSC top brass and initial skirmishes raised by China.
Sources also said India had pushed for adoption of its 'stand and language' in the resolution through 'partner countries' including on the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad and "to bring perpetrators to justice".
France has played a key role in pushing the resolution, sources said and so did countries like the US.
In his speech after receiving the award, Prime Minister Modi also referred to the "progress over the past year towards peace on the Korean peninsula"
"President Moon deserves all the praise for the role he has played in overcoming the legacy of mutual distrust and suspicion between North Korea and the international community, and bringing them to the discussion table," he said adding this is "no small achievement".
"I state again my Government's strong support to the ongoing dialogue process between the two Koreas and between the US and North Korea," Mr Modi said.
"I am deeply honoured to be awarded the Prize....the award belongs to the people of India," Mr Modi said.
The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 and the awardees receives a diploma, a plaque and honorarium of USD 200,000."May there be peace everywhere......may there be eternal peace," Mr Modi said on the occasion quoting Sanskrit mantras.
The Prime Minister said the entire monetary prize amount would be dedicated to the Namami Gange project - committed to clean Ganga.
Setback to Imran regime: FATF slams Pak for 'limited progress' on terror financing
Paris, Feb 22 (UNI) In yet another set back to Pakistan and its beleaguered Imran Khan-led regime vis-a-vis its flip flip on terror financing, the anti-money global body Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Friday said it will continue to keep Islamabad in the 'grey list'.
The FATF held its plenary sitting from February 17 and the deliberations completed on Friday.
In a statement, the FATF said: "Due to the limited progress on action plan item due in January 2019, the FATF urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timeliness of May 2019". The international financial watchdog in effect warned Pakistan to stick to the deadlines and not miss them again - as they have this time.
The FATF list matters vis-a-vis terror funding will be reviewed again in June and October later this year. Sources say India is keen to push for inclusion of Pakistan in the FATF 'black list' like Iran and North Korea.
The blacklisting of Pakistan could only add to the economic woes for the cash-strapped nation which is faced with balance of payment crisis.
Indian government sources say the FATF can 'blacklist' Pakistan if convinced of its role in the Pulwama attack and its complicity in terror funding.
Actions from FATF may lead to "downgrading" of Pakistan by global lenders such as IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and European Union.
In a desperate move on Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday 'reinstated' ban on Hafeez Saeed-led Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD).
The JuD is a front organisation of the Lashkar-e-Toiba terror group which had carried out the 2008 Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed.
The Pakistan government has also decided to ban JuD’s charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).
India owes historic statement 'with many firsts' UNSC resolution to US and France
New Delhi/United Nations, Feb 22 (UNI) Diplomatically, things could not be going better for the Modi government.
Over five months after India and the US held their first '2 Plus 2 Dialogue', the American administration stood by India steadfastly post-Pulwama attack and finally ensured a strong UNSC negation against Pakistan.
The UN Security Council comprising 15 permanent and non-permanent members on Thursday finally adopted the resolution 'unanimously' that condemned in the “strongest terms” the “heinous and cowardly” terror attack and also named Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in the statement.
"These can be seen as diplomatic win," sources said and the comments were readily endorsed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a television interview as well.
"This country has the confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver...," Mr Singh said.
Besides, P-5, other nations in 15-member powerful organ of UN include - Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Peru, Poland, South Africa, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Belgium and Germany.
The UN Security Council statement making strong reference to terrorism and even naming Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad for February 14 dastardly act was 'forcefully and tactfully' delayed by China while Pakistan worked overtime to avoid a strong resolution completely.
"Now that the resolution was adopted, we can say it was adopted unanimously by the UNSC including both permanent and non permanent members and also China. It contains specific language that India had proposed via partner countries including on the naming of JeM," an informed source said here.
India's stand that perpetrators should be brought to justice was also accepted even as India's formidable competitors and rivals in region China and Pakistan tried to do everything to either 'dilute' the content or even total avoidance of a statement altogether.
What is seen as a matter of immense satisfaction for Indian side is that the condemnation by the powerful organ of the world body came shortly after Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi had met top brass in the UN including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Lodhi has also met the UN Security Council president Anatolio Ndong Mba of Equatorial Guinea.
Some UNSC members including the US wanted a statement by February 15-16, but Chinese insisted that it should be taken up only by February 18.
But in all these - India's partners France and the US stood by New Delhi.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had urged Pakistan - after the Pulwama attack - to act firmly against the terror groups. France has played a key role in pushing the resolution.
In fact, the 'determined' bid from French government was reflected in true spirit of remarks made by the France envoy to India. "By coordinating our diplomatic efforts, France and India show once again unity against terrorism," Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler had tweeted on February 19.
For the part of the US, no less than The White House issued a strong statement. NSA John Bolton also spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and even President Donald Trump described the attack as 'horrible'.
India’s permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on the UNSC resolution calling it -“A statement with many firsts takes more time than expected. In complex diplomatic situations, however, it is better to be late than never".
Sources said France will initiate yet another move at the UN and that will be to put Masood Azhar on the terrorist list.
Among the big fishes, UNSC permanent member Russia is backing India and also the US and United Kingdom.
India and Saudi Arabia plan to play regional maritime 'security providers'
New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) India and Saudi Arabia are set to take forward their diplomatic engagements and strategic partnership to a much higher level and will be keen to play the role of "next security providers" in the maritime front as well in the region.
After the "very significant and successful round" of state visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Indian side is enthusiastic to see that the Prince himself has taken a keen interest in boosting the maritime and defence ties.
"India is interested in that area and on maritime security. Saudis too have same type of apprehensions and concerns on maritime security," a source said here.
In this context, the Saudi Crown Prince and his delegation told the Indian side on February 20 meet that it will be a 'good thing' if India and Saudi Arabia come together and bring other countries in the region together.
"In fact....we will be next security providers along with others in the region," the source maintained.
Sources said the concept for such cooperation and coordination was mooted by no less than the Saudi Crown Prince at the 'restricted' level bilateral talks between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This concept will be taken forward as India too has 'strong and deep interest' in the region. "Efforts will be made also to bring other countries in the region together," the source said.
Sources have said that Saudi Crown Prince's visit was "extremely important and successful visit" and for the first time reflected Saudi regime's agreement that essentially 'Kashmir is a bilateral issue' between India and Pakistan.
"The Joint Statement issued at the end of the visit said there is need for creation of conditions for 'resumption' of the comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. This is exactly India has been stating.....that means what -- the renunciation of terror (by Pakistan)," a source in the know of things said here.
"That is a very clear position we have had ......there was no ambiguity on the part of Saudis too and their understanding of Kashmir issue, that there is also clear recognition that it is essentially a bilateral issue," sources said.
The Indian foreign policy engine room is also enthusiastic to note that the Joint Statement makes mention of Pakistan.
Even as Saudi Crown Prince made no reference to Pakistan or even Pulwama attack in his media briefing in presence of PM Modi in Delhi, the Joint Statement was categorical - "His Royal Highness appreciated consistent efforts made by Prime Minister Modi since May 2014 including Prime Minister’s personal initiatives to have friendly relations with Pakistan".
In more ways than one, India sees much importance Saudi side has sought to attach to its relation with India.
Firstly, a source said, even if Saudis were toying with the idea to 'mediate' for peace between India and Pakistan, they gave up once they felt the 'anguish' among Indian delegates on the Pulwama attack.
At the three-level talks held between two sides on Wednesday - one on one between PM Modi and the Saudi Crown Prince, in the restricted bilateral between two sides and later at the delegation level talks, it was emphasised that the Saudi side does not want to involve in conflicts and tension between India and Pakistan "without being invited" by New Delhi and Islamabad.
Sources also said that traditionally India's relations with Saudi Arabia had 'revolved around trade,oil, energy Indian expatriate working in the region - but over the decades, this has evolved. "It has especially evolved in last three years especially on the eve of and after PM Modi's visit in 2016".
Moreover, showing sensitivities to Indian sentiment, Saudi Crown Prince had 'gone back' to Saudi Arabia and avoided coming to India direct from Islamabad.
This also underlines that from the Saudi perspective its relations with India and Pakistan are independent of each other.
"Over the last four-five years, we have seen a remarkable transformation in Saudi understanding. That is something that has genuinely happened," the source said.
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