PM tears into Pakistan at 'Howdy Modi', says "Its a breeding ground of terrorism"

Houston, Sep 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a blistering attack on Pakistan during his speech at the 'Howdy Modi' event in the US. He said Pakistan is obsessed with hating India.

"Some people have a problem with the abrogation of article 370, these are same people who can't govern their own country properly. These are the same people who shield terrorism and nurture it. The whole world knows them very well," Modi said in Houston.

In a veiled attack at the Pakistan, PM Modi the nation which hasn't been able to manage its own country is a breeding ground for terrorism.

"It is a breeding ground for terrorism. Be it 9/11 attack in USA or 26/11 attack in Mumbai, the perpetrators of the acts have been found in that one country," he said at the Howdy Modi event in Houston.

Time for a decisive battle against terrorism has come, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he defended revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status. Addressing over 50,000 Indian-Americans at the 'Howdy, Modi' event , he said India has given farewell to Article 370, which allowed terrorism and separatism to rear its head in Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi asked people to give standing ovation to the Indian parliamentarians for Parliament's nod to repeal Article 370 provisions.

"India's decision on Article 370 has troubled some people, who can't handle their country, who support terrorism," the prime minister said. "Where do you find conspirators of 9/11 and 26/11 terror attacks," Modi said, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. "Time for decisive battle against terrorism," he said.

Modi also praised India's democracy and said Indians are working day and night to realise its goal of new India. "India is seeing new history and chemistry being made and witnessing new Indo-US synergy," he said.

"Our many languages are identity of our liberal and democratic society. Diversity is basis of our democracy," the prime minister said. He said the recent elections showcased the Indian democracy's greatness across the world. He said 61 crore people, twice US population, voted in the elections. "India working day and night to realise its goal of new India; we are challenging and changing ourself," Modi said.

Trump had earlier said that India and US are committed to fighting radical Islamic terrorism.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi introduced President Trump to the Indian-Americans at the mega event as a very "special person" whose presence at the event signals India has a true friend at the White House.

"From CEO to Commander-in-Chief, from boardrooms to the Oval Office, from studios to the global stage, from politics to the economy and to security, he has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere," Modi said with Trump standing alongside him. Modi said he met Trump a few times and every time he has been warm, friendly, accessibly, energetic and full of wit.

"And I can say I had a chance to meet him often and every time I found the friendliness, the warmth and the energy," he said. "We in India have connected well to him," he said, adding "Abki baar Trump Sarkar".

Addressing the gathering, President Trump vowed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism and said border security is vital to both America and India as he emphasised on bolstering further the Indo-US security relationship. "We are committed to protect innocent civilians from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism," he said.

"India and the US also understand that to keep our community safe, we must protect our borders. Border security is vital to the United States. Border Security is vital to India. And we understand that," Trump said as Modi was seen clapping. Noting that over the last decade, India and US' defence cooperation has reached USD 18 billion, Trump said the two countries will soon sign several defence deals to bolster their relationship.

"India has never invested in the United States like it's doing today," Trump said, adding "I want to say, it's reciprocal, because we're doing the same in India."

For the most part, Modi and Trump demonstrated much bonhomie and camaraderie at the joint appearance. They hugged, clasped hands, clapped each other on the back and had only the most eloquent praise for each other, the ties between their nations and governments and spoke of the "historic" importance of their joint appearance.

On display was the growing closeness between the two leaders, the easy camaraderie they have come to develop and share over their meetings and interaction, bilaterally and at multilateral meetings.