BRICS Summit: Putin backs India on terror threats from Afghanistan

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The five-nation grouping of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) has adopted a “counter terrorism action plan” and “…there is no doubt that there is much we can be proud of. However, it is also important that we do not become too self-satisfied and we must ensure that BRICS is even more result oriented in the next 15 years” Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed on Thursday dispelling voices that had questioned the utility of BRICS amid China’s pursuit of ambitions through aggressive actions.

“BRICS has made many achievements in the last one-and-a-half decade,” Modi said inaugurating the 13th BRICS Summit, which was attended by Russian president Vladimir Putin, Chinese president Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro. “Today we are an influential voice for the emerging economies of the world. This platform has also been useful for focusing on the priorities of developing countries,” Modi pointed out at the meet being held virtually.

While Modi mentioned that the five leaders will discuss important global and regional issues, he did not make any direct reference to Afghanistan but made it clear that the key geo-political challenge will be discussed at the Summit. This is the first meeting of BRICS leaders since the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan. It is understood that during the Summit PM also mentioned that BRICS counter-terror action plan has acquired relevance in the backdrop of the Afghan situation.

The Russian President was the only leader who raised the issue of Afghanistan in his opening remarks (delivered publicly) and backed India by saying that the country should not become a “threat to its neighbouring countries, a source of drug trafficking and terrorism”.

The citizens of Afghanistan have “fought for decades and deserve to exercise their rights of defining what their state will look like on their own,” he added, days after the new interim government named by Taliban.

Interestingly Putin referred to the withdrawal of the US and its allies from Afghanistan and stated that this has led to a new crisis and it is “still unclear how it will affect regional and global security”.

“Global security has faced serious challenges and the system of strategic stability has gone all down. Our countries have paid special attention to this issue (Afghanistan). Russia and its BRICS partners have consistently spoken for establishing long awaited peace and stability on Afghan soil,” Putin added.

In his remarks Xi said that in the past 15 yrs, these five nations have “enhanced strategic communication and political trust in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and equality, respected each other’s social system, development and explored sound ways for nations to interact with each other”.

“We have made solid progress in various areas of cooperation in the spirit of pragmatism, innovation and win-win cooperation. We have supported multilateralism and taken part in global governance in the spirit of equity, justice and mutual assistance,” he added.

While the Brazilian President recalled his visit to India fondly, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that their collective response to Covid-19 has demonstrated what can be achieved when they work together. “As BRICS countries we must continue to safeguard our people’s lives, livelihoods, support global economic recovery and enhance the resilience of public systems,” he said.

India has received full cooperation from all BRICS partners and from everybody during this Chairmanship, Modi earlier acknowledged in his remarks. “This platform has also been useful for focusing attention on the priorities of developing nations as well.”

There has also been a consensus with regards to starting a virtual BRICS Vaccination Research and Development Centre, the PM informed, adding, BRICS Alliance on green tourism is also another new initiative. “All of these new initiatives will not only benefit our citizens but will also enable BRICS as an institution to remain relevant in the coming years.”

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