‘Strongest terms’: Brics declaration slams Pahalgam assault, reaffirms stand against terror | India News

NEW DELHI: Leaders of the Brics nations on Sunday issued a robust condemnation of the April 22 terrorist assault in J&K’s Pahalgam, which left 26 individuals useless. In a joint declaration following the summit in Rio de Janeiro, the leaders labelled the assault “criminal and unjustifiable” and referred to as for united world motion to root out terrorism in all its types.“We express strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomever committed. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured,” the BRICS declaration mentioned whereas reaffirming the bloc’s dedication to a “zero tolerance” method to terrorism. The leaders underscored that terrorism, no matter its motivation, origin or perpetrators, have to be countered by way of unified worldwide efforts.Cross-border terror, financing, and protected havens highlightedThe Brics assertion went additional to denounce the cross-border motion of terrorists, terrorism financing, and the existence of protected havens for terrorist teams.“We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens,” the assertion added.The declaration emphasised that terrorism should not be linked to any faith, ethnicity, civilisation, or nationality. It additionally insisted that these answerable for terrorist acts and those that assist them have to be held accountable below each nationwide and worldwide regulation.“We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law,” it mentioned.In a thinly veiled critique of inconsistent world responses to terrorism, the Brics leaders rejected “double standards” in counterterrorism. They emphasised the first duty of nation-states to fight terrorism whereas urging worldwide cooperation that respects the UN Charter, human rights regulation, and humanitarian regulation.“We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. We emphasize the primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism and that 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 international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, as applicable,” it mentioned.The declaration additionally referred to as for the finalisation of the long-pending Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) below the United Nations framework — a proposal India has lengthy championed.“We welcome the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and its five Subgroups 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 finalization 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,” it mentioned.