State actors working with nuclear traffickers and terrorists pose greatest risk: Modi

The recent terror attacks in Brussels shows how real and immediate is the threat to nuclear security from terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, adding that with state actors working in tandem with nuclear traffickers and terrorists present the greatest risk.

He called for focus on three contemporary features of terrorism - first, today's terrorism uses extreme violence as theatre. Also, we are no longer looking for a man in a cave, but we are hunting for a terrorist with a computer or a smart phone in a city, he said.

In an oblique reference to Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorists, Modi said, state actors colluding with nuclear traffickers and terrorists could increase the risk to nuclear weapons.

Terror has evolved and terrorists are using 21st century technology, the prime minister observed adding that that our responses are still rooted in the past. ''Terrorism is globally networked, but we still act only nationally to counter this threat,'' he pointed out.

Making an intervention during the dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama, on the theme of nuclear security threat perceptions, Modi said, since the reach and supply chains of terrorism are global, genuine cooperation between nation states are needed to combat terror.

The prime minister said that without prevention and prosecution of acts of terrorism, there is no deterrence against nuclear terrorism. He urged everyone to drop the notion that terrorism is someone else's problem and that ''his'' terrorist is not ''my'' terrorist.

Modi said nuclear security must remain an abiding national priority, and all states must completely abide by their international obligations.

Appreciating the US President for putting the spotlight on nuclear security, the prime minister said he had, by doing so, done great service to global security.