Paris attacks overshadow G20 meet; Leaders vow to fight terror

Antalya, Nov 15: Gruesome Paris attacks overshadowed the G20 Leaders Summit in this Turkish coastal resort town, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a united global effort to combat terrorism while US President Barack Obama vowed to "redouble" efforts to wipe out the ISIS network.

The G20 Summit, which was expected to mainly discuss inclusive economic growth and climate change, is now set to adopt a resolution at the end of the two-day meeting tomorrow calling for better coordination and exchange of information to cut off funding and a more comprehensive approach on "addressing the conditions conducive to terrorism."

The rare resolution on terror is likely to be separate from the main Summit declaration, officials said.

The declaration may seek quicker implementation of the Financial Action Task Force, which involves stopping individuals sending money to groups like Islamic State and tackling the black market for oil that's key to its funding.

It also plans to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology, communications and resources to incite terrorism acts, including through the Internet. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he will soon submit to the UN General Assembly a comprehensive plan to deal with violent extremism and terrorism.

Ahead of the official beginning of the G20 Summit, US President Obama held one-on-one meetings with world leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his meeting with BRICS leaders, on sidelines of G20, condemned the dreadful acts of terrorism in Paris.

"The entire humanity must stand together as one against terrorism. The need for a united global effort to combat terrorism has never been more urgent. This must also be a priority for BRICS nations," he said.

Obama vowed to stand by France in hunting down the Paris attackers and to "redouble" efforts to wipe out the Islamic State jihadist network.

"The killing of innocent people based on a twisted ideology is an attack not just on France, not just on Turkey but it is an attack on the civilised world. As we, I am sure, each said to President Hollande and the French people, we stand in solidarity with them in hunting down the perpetrators of this crime and bringing them to justice," Obama told reporters here.

"We will redouble our efforts working with other members of the coalition to bring about a peaceful transition in Syria and to eliminate Daesh as a force that can create so much pain and suffering for people in Paris and Ankara and other parts of the globe," Obama said.

PTI