BRICS countries back India’s push for global terror convention

The leadersrsquo joint statement issued following the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro strongly echoed Prime Minister PM Narendra Modirsquos stance on terrorism including a broad condemnation of the menace in all its forms Ministry of External Affairs MEA Secretary Economic Relations Dammu Ravi saidSpeaking at a press conference on Sunday local time Ravi stated that BRICS nations have expressed firm support for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism CCIT mdash a longstanding Indian initiative at the United Nations ANI reportedThe proposed treaty seeks to create a comprehensive legal framework to counter terrorism by defining and criminalising various terrorist acts ensuring that perpetrators can be prosecuted or extradited globallyRavi highlighted that the BRICS leadersrsquo joint declaration released on Sunday unequivocally condemned all manifestations of terrorism including its financing reported ANIldquoParagraph 34 of the BRICS declaration condemns terrorism in all its manifestations including those who abet or finance it mdash whether covertly or overtlyrdquo he said ldquoTherersquos also a reference to the crossborder movement of terrorists and the listing of terror groups Strong support for the CCIT mdash Indiarsquos longstanding initiative in the UN mdash has been clearly articulated That message is very clear to our neighboursrdquoHe emphasised that the BRICS leadership expressed a strong sense of solidarity and unity in countering terrorism reported ANIldquoWe have other pillars but many of Indiarsquos ideas which have been under negotiation for some time were effectively captured In todayrsquos discussions most of the views expressed aligned broadly with the Honourable Prime Ministerrsquos perspectiverdquo said RaviAlthough Pakistan was not named directly the BRICS declaration reaffirmed the grouprsquos commitment to tackling crossborder terrorism terror financing and the existence of terrorist safe havensRavi added ldquoLet me point to some of the key takeaways particularly in the context of Pahalgam Paragraph 34 makes it unequivocally clear there is unanimous condemnation by all leaders It refers to terrorism in all forms mdash including those who support or finance it either openly or covertly Therersquos also a clear mention of crossborder terrorist movementrdquoHe reiterated that the statement delivers a strong message to Indiarsquos neighboursldquoTherersquos also reference to the listing of terrorist groups and strong support for the Comprehensive Convention against Terrorism which has been Indiarsquos initiative in the UN for a long time For anyone who understands the dangers of terrorism this is a strong and united message The international community has spoken in one voicerdquo the MEA official saidThe BRICS leaders also strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civiliansldquoWe reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the crossborder movement of terrorists terrorism financing and safe havensrdquo the statement readFurther the leaders welcomed the ongoing work of the BRICS CounterTerrorism Working Group CTWG and its five subgroups guided by the BRICS CounterTerrorism Strategy Action Plan and CTWG position paperDuring his address at the BRICS Summit PM Modi describing terrorism as the gravest threat facing humanity today stressed that condemnation of terrorism should be a principle and not a matter of convenienceReferring to the Pahalgam attack he said it served as a stark reminder of the global nature of the terrorist threat and called for unwavering international solidarityPM Modi described the attack as a blow to the ldquosoul identity and dignityrdquo of India and acknowledged the widespread global support received in the wake of it He urged the international community to impose decisive sanctions and insisted there must be no moral equivalence between victims and perpetrators of terrorismldquoFor personal or political gain giving silent consent to terrorism or supporting terrorists in any form must not be acceptable under any circumstancesrdquo asserted PM ModiThe BRICS Summit hosted by Brazil has witnessed the participation from leaders of Brazil Russia India China and South Africa alongside newly inducted members Egypt Ethiopia Iran the UAE and IndonesiaWith ANI inputs