Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a unified global stance against terrorism at the BRICS Summit on Sunday, asserting that there should be “no hesitation” in imposing sanctions on terrorists.
Speaking at a session on peace and security, Modi drew a firm distinction between victims and perpetrators of terror, emphasising that the two “cannot be weighed on the same scale.”
“There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists and the victims and supporters of terrorism cannot be weighed on the same scale,” Modi said.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the prime minister described it as a “brutal and cowardly” act, and a direct assault on the “soul, identity and dignity” of India. He termed terrorism the “most serious” challenge facing the globe.
“The April 22 attack was not just a blow to India but to the entire humanity,” he added, referring to the incident that claimed 26 civilian lives.
The first day of the two-day summit, hosted by Brazil in its current chairmanship of the influential grouping, saw top leaders from BRICS countries discussing pressing global challenges.
However, notable absentees included Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Calling for principled, not selective, condemnation of terrorism, Modi appeared to criticize nations that shield or support terror actors for political convenience.
“Condemning terrorism should be our ‘principle’, not just a ‘convenience’,” he said, in a likely reference to China’s backing of Pakistan and its obstruction of UN Security Council efforts to sanction Pakistan-based operatives.
The BRICS grouping, which includes 11 major emerging economies, represents nearly half the world’s population, around 40% of global GDP, and about a quarter of international trade.
