Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, May 15

BRICS foreign ministers on Thursday condemned the April 22 attack in Pahalgam and reiterated support for tougher global action against terrorism.

In a joint outcome document adopted after a two-day meeting in New Delhi, the ministers condemned “in the strongest terms” the attack in which 26 people were killed and several others injured.

The grouping reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations”, including cross-border terrorism, terror financing and terrorist safe havens.

The declaration said terrorism should not be associated with “any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group” and stressed that those involved in terrorist activities and their support networks “must be held accountable and brought to justice” in accordance with international law.

The ministers also called for “zero tolerance for terrorism” and rejected “double standards in countering terrorism”, language that aligns with India’s long-standing position on state-backed terrorism.

The statement underlined the need for coordinated action against all UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities and called for the early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the United Nations framework.

India has been pushing for the convention for more than two decades.

The ministers also welcomed the work of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and supported deeper cooperation among member states on counter-terror measures.

The meeting was held under India’s BRICS chairship theme, ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.

Apart from terrorism, the ministers discussed reform of global governance institutions, strengthening multilateralism and increasing the representation of developing countries in international decision-making bodies.

On geopolitical issues, the ministers expressed concern over the worsening situation in West Asia, particularly in Gaza, Sudan and Syria, while reiterating support for diplomacy, humanitarian access and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The document, however, noted that there were “differing views” among member states on the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

The ministers also renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council and reiterated support for a greater role for developing countries, including India and Brazil, in global governance institutions.

China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council, reiterated support for the aspirations of India and Brazil to play a larger role in the United Nations, including the Security Council.

The declaration also criticised unilateral sanctions and protectionist trade measures, backed reforms in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, and stressed the importance of preserving an open multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organisation.

The ministers discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, climate action, food security, energy transition, cyber security and resilient supply chains as priorities under India’s chairship.

The meeting concluded with member states expressing support for India’s leadership of BRICS in 2026 and committing to work together for the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi.