The BRICS nations condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in "strongest terms" and urged global leaders to reject double standards in countering terrorism. The bloc also condemned the recent military strikes the United States and Israel launched against nuclear sites in Iran and urged the United Nations Security Council to actively consider the matter.
Interestingly, the condemnation from an organisation including China comes within weeks after the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting, where India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign a joint statement after it was sans any mention about the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan's defence minister had also attended the SCO meeting.
In the joint declaration, the BRICS nations expressed strong condemnation over the Pahalgam terror attack. "We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured. 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," it said.
The bloc reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. "...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 said.
"We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. We call for concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities," it added.
Briefing the media, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic relations), said the BRICS nations strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack. "All the members have supported India. They expressed solidarity and strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack," he said.
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During his speech at the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "If any country provides direct or indirect support to terrorism, it must pay the price for it."
The group nations also condemned the recent strikes the United States and Israel launched against nuclear sites in Iran. "We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since June 13, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and express grave concern over the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East. We further express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA," it read, adding, "We call upon the United Nations Security Council to be seized of this matter."
