IS to Dominate Modi's Three-Nation Tour

India is not yet part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State. But the terror outfit's fast-expanding network and the grave threat its ideology poses to the world will be the running theme in all speeches and engagements that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have during his three-nation tour, beginning next week.

Modi begins his three nation tour—Belgium, United States and Saudi Arabia—from March 29 to April 3. In Brussels he will participate in the India-European Union Summit, in Washington in the Nuclear Security Summit and in Riyadh, a bilateral, maiden visit, to engage with the Saudi leadership.

Tuesday's terror attacks at the Brussels airport and the metro station that claimed over 30 lives has firmly brought terrorism, especially the one unleashed by the IS in various parts of Europe, on the political agenda. Narendra Modi will take this opportunity of once again stressing on the need for an united and coordinated effort to fight terrorism in all its "forms and manifestations."

India has been a victim of terrorism, mostly emanating from Pakistani soil, for decades. But many of Modi's predecessors have found it difficult to get the much-needed support to fight terrorism and condemnation of terror acts from the western capitals in the past. For better part in this period a significant opinion in the West had been to link the acts of terrorism in India with its dispute on Kashmir with Pakistan. Some, keen to enlist Pakistan's active support and participation to stabilize Afghanistan, continue to do so. However, the acts of terror within Europe and in many western countries have now forced many to change their opinion. There is a better understanding and support to fight against all forms of terrorism. The inter-linkages between terror outfits especially those who operate in the sub-continent with the ones active in Europe and the western countries, is a point that the Indian PM will want to drive home during his engagement in the three capitals.

The Brussels visit by Modi was important because of the staled India-EU Summit that had not taken place since came to power in May 2014. The discussions between the two sides will, therefore, focus on pushing forward the Free Trade Agreement and enhancing and expanding economic cooperation to a wider area. But the terror attacks in Brussels will subsume all other discussions and better coordination and greater resolve to fight terrorism will dominate the talks.

At the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) that began in Washington in 2010 and were subsequently held in 2012 in Seoul and in 2014 in Geneva, the concluding edition, yet again being held in the US capital between March 31 and April 1, the focus will also be on terrorism and the danger of weapons of mass destruction falling into their hands.

Modi, who will be participating in the Summit for the first time—the earlier three editions were represented by Manmohan Singh—will indicate the Indian continuity and commitment on nuclear non proliferation. And also strengthen its credibility as a responsible nuclear power with which the international community can confidently engage in civil nuclear commerce.

But the Indian Prime Minister will also highlight at the Summit where 50 countries, including Pakistan, are participating, on the danger of nuclear weapons and fissile materials falling in the hands of terror groups like those active in the Af-Pak border and the Islamic State. Modi may not 'name and shame' Pakistan, since a "pull-aside" between him and Nawaz Sharif is expected on the Summit sidelines, but he may point out the need for all participating countries to sign and ratify all the instruments that will minimize the chance of nuclear weapons and material falling in the hands of terrorists.

The issue of terrorism gathers altogether a different dimension when Modi travels to Riyadh and engages with the leadership there between April 2 and 3. This is not only because Saudi Arabia is in the region where the Islamic State is engaged in a war to keep control of the territory it has captured. But also because Saudi support to various charities and its encouragement to Wahhabism—the most conservative and often virulent form of Sunni Islam—is often seen by many as a key source of support to various terror groups.

Saudi Arabia is not only a close ally of Pakistan, it is also the driving force behind the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) that routinely passes resolutions on Kashmir criticizing India's "oppressive role" against the Muslims in that disputed territory.

Getting Saudi Arabia to condemn terrorism in all its "form and manifestation" will be a key achievement for India. It will surely not wean away the Saudis from Pakistan but at least make it a little more understanding and sympathetic of the Indian position. Additionally, it may elicit better cooperation from the leadership in Riyadh to also act against those groups that are active in India and south Asia.