BRICS Leaders strongly condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack, reject double standards in countering terrorism
By R Anil Kumar
Bangalore/Rio de Janeiro. In a significant move, the Leaders Declaration at the ongoing BRICS Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, condemned in the strongest terms the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 innocent people.
In what is being viewed as a major diplomatic success for India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of the BRICS Countries strongly condemned the terror attack while reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism, terror financing and also taking concerted actions against all UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities.
The leaders also urged to ensure zero-tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. The issue of the menace of terrorism was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ongoing BRICS Summit when the session on Peace and Security, came up, where the leaders voiced their strong condemnation stating that any act of terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever being committed.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, during which 26 were killed and more than 50 injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestation,” read paragraph 34, of the Rio de Janeiro, Declaration.
Investigations into the Pahalgam terror attack brought out the communication nodes of terrorists in and to Pakistan. The Group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF)- a front for the UN proscribed Pakistan terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba- had claimed responsibility for the attack.
“We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic groups, and those involved in terror activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with the relevant national and International law,” the BRICS leaders jointly stated.
“We urge to ensure zero-tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. We emphasise the primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism and global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must fully comply with their obligations under International law, including the Charter of the UNITED NATIONS, in particular the purposes and principles thereof, and relevant International conventions and protocols, in particular, the International human rights law, International refugee law and the International humanitarian law, as applicable, the Declaration added.
The leaders of the group also welcomed the activities of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Working Group(CTWG) and its subgroup based upon the BRICS Counter Terrorism Strategy, the BRICS Counter Terrorism Action Plan and the CTWG Position Paper.
“We look forward to further deepening counter terrorism cooperation. We call for an expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive convention on International terrorism in the UN Framework. We call for concerted actions against all UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities,” the Declaration stated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address thanked the Member Countries for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and for expressing solidarity with India.
The Prime Minister extended invitation to BRICS Leaders to India for the next BRICS SUMMIT to be held under India’s Chairmanship, next year.
