BRICS leaders 'strongly' condemn terrorist attacks in India, bats for early adoption of CCIT

Reacting strongly against the recent attacks against some of the BRICS countries, including in India, the leaders of Brazil, Russian, India, China and South Africa, who met at the eighth BRICS Summit here, on Sunday said they condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons.

In a joint declaration issued here, the BRICS leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism - both at the bilateral level and at international fora - and called upon all nations to work together to expedite the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the U.N. General Assembly.

"We strongly condemn the recent several attacks, against some BRICS countries, including that in India. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons. We agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora," they said in the declaration.

With an aim to address the threat of chemical and biological terrorism, the BRICS leaders said, "We support and emphasise the need for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, including at the Conference on Disarmament."

In this context, they also welcomed India's offer to host a conference in 2018 aimed at strengthening international resolve in facing the challenge of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)-Terrorism nexus.

Observing that successfully combating terrorism requires a holistic approach and all counter-terrorism measures should uphold international law and respect human rights, the BRICS leaders said: "We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism, including through organised crime by means of money-laundering, drug trafficking, criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet, including social media by terror entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)."

The leaders also acknowledged the recent meeting of the BRICS High Representatives on National Security and welcomed the setting up and the first meeting of the BRICS Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism on September 14 in New Delhi. "We believe it will further promote dialogue and understanding among BRICS nations on issues of counter terrorism, as well as coordinate efforts to address the scourge of terrorism."

Acknowledging that international terrorism, especially the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh) and affiliated terrorist groups and individuals, constitute a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security, they said, "Stressing the U.N's central role in coordinating multilateral approaches against terrorism, we urge all nations to undertake effective implementation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and reaffirm our commitment on increasing the effectiveness of the UN counter terrorism framework."

They BRICS leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the FATF International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation and call for swift, effective and universal implementation of FATF Consolidated Strategy on Combating Terrorist Financing, including effective implementation of its operational plan. They also sought to intensify our cooperation in FATF and FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs).

The leaders also noted with deep concern the increasing links between drug trafficking and terrorism, money laundering and organised crime and commended the cooperation between BRICS drug control agencies and welcome the deliberations in second Anti-Drug Working Group Meeting held in New Delhi on July 8.

Addressing a press conference here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the agreement between the BRICS countries under the Goa Declaration were unanimous in recognising the threat of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, adding that those who nurture, shelter, support and sponsor forces of violence and terror are a threat to the global community.

Calling the discussions as 'useful and forward looking', Prime Minister Modi said the BRICS nations need to work together and act decisively to end the menace of terrorism. "We were one in agreeing that BRICS need to work together and act decisively to combat this threat," he said.

The Prime Minister also underscored the need for close coordination among the BRICS nations on tracking sources of terrorist financing and target the hardware of terrorism, including weapons' supplies, ammunition, equipment and training. "India is happy to note the unity of thought and purpose on this serious global challenge," Prime Minister Modi said.