JOIN USThe United Arab Emirates on Thursday joined India to send out a veiled message to Pakistan to stop using religion to support terrorism in its neighbourhood and beyond.
Without directly referring to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and crown prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan condemned “efforts, including by states, to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries”.
They further deplored efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colours to political issues, and pointed out the responsibility of all states to control the activities of the so-called ‘non-state actors’, according to a joint statement issued at the end of Sheikh Mohammed’s visit to India.
The crown prince – the de-facto ruler of the UAE – was on a visit to India from Tuesday to Thursday.
He met Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday. He also attended the Republic Day ceremony as the chief guest on Thursday, before leaving for Abu Dhabi.
Modi conveyed to Sheikh Mohammed “deep appreciation for the solidarity expressed by the UAE on the terrorist attacks on an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot in January 2016 and on an army base in Uri in September 2016.
Modi condemns attacks
They strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Kabul and Kandahar on January 10, and underscored the need to bring the perpetrators of these dastardly and cowardly acts to justice.
Five UAE diplomats were killed and others injured in the attack in Kandahar.
Modi, according to the joint statement, conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives of UAE and Afghan nationals in these attacks.
He wished speedy recovery to the UAE diplomats injured in the attacks. India and the UAE agreed to coordinate efforts to counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism.
They emphasised the need to facilitate regular exchanges of religious scholars and intellectuals and to organise conferences and seminars to promote the values of peace, tolerance, inclusiveness and welfare that are inherent in all religions.
DH News Service