BRICS Leaders Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack, Call for Zero Tolerance and Reject Double Standards on Terrorism

Rio de Janeiro, July 7: At the 17th BRICS Summit leaders of the member nations unequivocally condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 people dead and many more injured. In a strongly worded joint declaration, the bloc expressed its “strongest terms” of condemnation, calling for a united, uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms.

Labeling terrorism as both “criminal and unjustifiable,” the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, including addressing cross-border movement, financial support, and safe havens. The declaration emphasized that terrorism must not be associated with any religion, nationality, ethnicity, or civilization, and urged that all involved in such acts be brought to justice under national and international law.

The BRICS grouping—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly joined members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia—also welcomed the work of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and its five subgroups. These bodies have been developing strategies and action plans aimed at deepening cooperation on counter-terrorism initiatives.

The joint declaration also urged the speedy finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) within the UN framework and called for coordinated international action against all UN-designated terrorist entities.

In addition, the leaders denounced recent attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure, including bridges and railway networks in the Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh regions, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including children.

The summit also addressed broader security concerns, including illicit financial flows and the use of cryptocurrencies for terrorism and other transnational crimes. The BRICS leaders highlighted the need for robust technical support and capacity building, particularly for developing nations, to combat such threats effectively.

Underscoring the importance of youth protection, the joint declaration emphasized creating conditions that prevent the involvement of the younger generation in illegal activities and welcomed the development of international youth projects focused on positive engagement.

The summit marked a significant moment for BRICS, with its expanded membership and renewed focus on coordinated global responses to terrorism and organized crime.