Brasilia: The 17th BRICS Summit opened in Brazil with a strong and united stance against terrorism, as leaders of the five-nation bloc Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa unanimously condemned the recent terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The joint declaration issued at the summit denounced cross-border terrorism and the sheltering of terror outfits, reaffirming the group’s commitment to global peace and security.
Russia and China threw their weight behind India, calling for a greater and more permanent role for New Delhi in the United Nations, especially within key decision-making bodies like the UN Security Council.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the summit in Brasília, described the Pahalgam attack as not merely an assault on a nation but an attack on humanity itself. He extended his gratitude to BRICS nations for standing in solidarity with India during this difficult time. Without naming Pakistan directly, Modi took a veiled swipe at Islamabad, stressing that supporting terror and suffering from terror cannot be equated.
"Terrorism is not a regional issue it’s a global threat," Modi declared, emphasizing that the world must reject double standards when responding to terror attacks. "Selective outrage and conditional condemnation," he warned, "erode the very foundation of humanity."
On the ongoing Middle East crisis, the BRICS declaration also condemned Israeli-American military operations on Iranian soil and called for an immediate end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Modi, aligning with this sentiment, stated that India is firmly against war and expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. He urged for the swift restoration of peace in the region.
In a significant show of alignment, the BRICS nations echoed India’s principled stand by reiterating that there must be no safe havens for terrorists, and that all countries must uphold a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism. The bloc pledged to work collectively to eliminate extremist networks and reinforce international cooperation to combat terror financing and radicalization.
The BRICS summit thus not only showcased India’s growing global stature but also solidified the alliance’s resolve to address terrorism as a shared challenge that demands firm, uncompromising global action.