Rio de Janeiro | The BRICS grouping on Sunday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest terms and echoed India's position
for adopting a "zero tolerance" approach towards terrorism and shunning double standards in countering the menace.
The top leaders of BRICS nations articulated their firm approach in combating terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists, on the first day of the grouping's two-day summit in this seaside Brazilian city.
The BRICS leaders unveiled the "Rio de Janeiro Declaration" that featured the bloc's position on a number of pressing global challenges, including the threat of terrorism, the situation in West Asia, and issues relating to trade and tariff.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation at the summit.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22," the leaders said in the declaration.
The BRICS reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and providing safe havens to terrorists.
"We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism," the BRICS declaration said.
"We emphasise 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," it said.
The BRICS resolved to further deepen counter-terrorism cooperation and called for concerted actions against all UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities.
The leaders of the grouping also voiced serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, seen as an oblique reference to Washington's policy on tariffs.
The BRICS also expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world and the current state of "polarisation and fragmentation" in the international order.
“We reiterate our grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian territory,” it said.
Rio de Janeiro | The Global South has often been a victim of "double standards" and nations that make major contributions to the world economy are deprived of a seat at the decision-making table, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday as he pressed for urgent reforms of the key bodies, including the UN Security Council.
In an address at the BRICS Summit, Modi said two-thirds of humanity has not received adequate representation in the global institutions formed in the 20th century.
Without the Global South, these institutions seem like a mobile phone with a SIM card but no network, he said.
The annual BRICS Summit began with a group photo of the leaders of the bloc's member nations followed by an address by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
"The Global South has often been a victim of double standards. Whether it is about development, distribution of resources, or security-related issues," Modi said.
In his remarks at the first plenary session, the prime minister rued the Global South has often received nothing but token gestures on issues like climate finance, sustainable development and technology access.
"Countries that have a major contribution to today's global economy have not been given a seat at the decision-making table," he said.
"This is not just a question of representation, but also of credibility and effectiveness," he added.
Modi said the world today needs a new multipolar and inclusive order and this has to begin with comprehensive reforms in global institutions.
"Reforms should not be merely symbolic, but their real impact should also be visible. There should be changes in governance structures, voting rights and leadership positions," he said.
The prime minister argued that the challenges of the countries of the Global South should be given priority in policy-making.
The expansion of BRICS is proof of the fact that it is an organisation that has the capacity to change itself according to the times, he said.
"Now we will have to show the same willpower for reforms in institutions like the UN Security Council, WTO and multilateral development banks."
"In the age of artificial intelligence, where technology is updated every week, it is not acceptable for a global institution to not be updated even once in 80 years," he said.
Modi said "21st century software cannot be run by 20th century type-writers".
"India has always considered it its duty to rise above its own interests and work in the interest of humanity," he said.
"We are fully committed to make constructive contributions on all subjects, along with the BRICS countries," Modi added.
