UN defends response to terrorism in wake of criticism by Modi

United Nations, Apr 6: The UN has defended its stance against terrorism saying it is "certainly" trying to take a responsible attitude in dealing with the menace, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the world body over the issue.

"We certainly are trying to take a responsible attitude in terms of dealing with terrorism and the spectre of terrorism worldwide. The UN encourages international solidarity against terrorism in all its aspects, whether it is terrorist bombings or terrorist financing," Deputy Spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Farhan Haq told PTI.

Haq was asked about the UN Chief's response to Modi's sharp criticism in Brussels last week when the Indian leader had said the world body does not know what terrorism is and how to deal with it.

Haq said in the next few days, the UN will hold a meeting in Geneva on the need to prevent and to counter violent extremism. "And the Secretary-General will be speaking at that — in terms of the specific measures that we've been talking about, in terms of handling violent extremism and its spread throughout the world, and the Secretary-General will speak at that in just a few days from now," he said.

Modi's visit to Brussels came just days after terror group ISIS carried out attacks that ripped through the departure area of the international airport and a subway station in the busy morning hours in the Belgian capital.

The attack left over 30 people dead and many more injured.

Addressing a gathering of Indian diaspora in Brussels, Modi had said that the UN has all means and mechanism to deal with war but does not know what the definition of terrorism is and how to address it.

He also warned that the UN will become irrelevant if it does not come up with appropriate response to deal with the scourge.

He pointed out that India has been pleading with the UN for years to define terrorism, a terrorist and who helps terrorists.

"I don't know when the UN will do so and how it will do so but given the emerging situation, if solutions are not found to this (problem), then it does not take time for an institution to become irrelevant," he had said.

PTI