BRICS names Pak-based LeT, Jaish as terror groups

Xiamen: Giving a shot in the arm of India's long standing stance for a concerted global efforts to fight terror menace, the 9th BRICS Summit here today called for a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism and deplored violence committed by groups including Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). "We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al-Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir," the declaration adopted at the meet attended among others by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said.

The declaration in clear terms "deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism." The declaration and special reference to Pakistan-based groups is seen as endorsement of Prime Minister Modi's stand taken few years back when he said there can be no justification to terrorism - either political or religious.

Mr Modi in his address at the 'restricted meet' raised the issues of international terrorism, money laundering, ban on terror groups active in different parts of globe and restructuring of International organisations. The meeting, also attended by Brazilian President Michel Temer, and South African President Jacob Zuma, backed the efforts of the Afghan security forces to defeat terrorism. In its declaration, BRICS condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

It referred to the Moscow Format of consultations on Afghanistan and “Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process”, as well as multimodal connectivity projects to promote peace and stability, to the fight against terrorism and drug-threat. Talking to mediapersons, Secretary East Preeti Saran at Xiamen said that Mr Modi also suggested to focus on de-radicalisation and said there should be a conference of BRICS leaders on the same issue. During restricted session leaders of all five members of BRICS countries focused on global economic situation and international economic governance. In BRICS plenary session, the leaders discussed the practical cooperation for common development and institution building. In his address, PM Modi said, “Cooperation is important for peace and development.

A strong BRICS partnership on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support sustainable development goals". Mr Modi also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm reception and excellent organisation of the 9th edition of the annual summit. The Summit this year came on the backdrop of a nearly three-month long stand off between India and China in Doklam sector.

The host Chinese President Xi Jinping told other member nations that there is utmost importance for closer ties between BRICS members and said five countries need to play a more active role in world governance. "Without us, ... many challenges cannot be effectively resolved," media reports said quoting Chinese President. The session began with a warm handshake between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping. The five leaders also joined hands among each other and posed for photographs. PM Modi was the third leader to reach the convention centre, venue of the 9th BRICS Summit in this port city of China. BRICS was formed as an association of fast-growing large economies to advocate for better representation for developing countries and seeks to end the monopoly of the Western-dominated world order. (UNI)