Nations Helping Terrorists Must Be Held Responsible: Modi at BRICS

The summit is being held in the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of the UN and in the midst of the pandemic.

File photo of PM Narendra Modi.

(Photo Courtesy: BJP4India/ Twitter)

Prime Minister Narendra virtually attended the 12th edition of BRICS Summit hosted by Russia on Tuesday, 17 November, noting that BRICS has been able to continue working at speed even during a global pandemic.

“Terrorism is the biggest problem facing the world today. We have to ensure that the countries that support the terrorists are held accountable and this problem is tackled in an organised manner,” PM Modi said on Tuesday, as he addressed the summit.

India Can be Force-Multiplier: PM Modi

The summit is being held with the theme 'Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth' and in the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this, PM Modi said that the theme is not just contemporary but also futuristic. “The world is seeing major geostrategic changes, effects of which will continue on stability, security and growth,” he noted.

Addressing the summit, PM Modi further spoke about India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat effort, saying, “This campaign is based on the belief that a self-reliant India post-COVID can be a force multiplier for the global economy and make a strong contribution to global resilient value chains.”

He further said that that during COVID, India had been able to send essential medicines to more than 150 countries because of the potential of the Indian pharma industry, promising that the country’s vaccine production and delivery capacity would work similarly.

PM Modi’s comments on terrorism were reportedly endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said some nations were like the “black sheep of the family”. According to Hindustan Times, he also said that the world cannot afford any complacency in dealing with problems such as terrorism and COVID-19.

Reforms in UN Security Council Very Important: PM Modi

PM Modi also said at the summit that India feels that reforms in the UN Security Council is very important, adding that the country expected support from BRICS partners on this issue.

“Several other international organisations are not functioning according to the contemporary realities. Institutions such as WTO, IMF and WHO need improvement,” he added.

PM Modi further congratulated Russia on its leadership of the BRICS, saying, “We're happy that under Russia's leadership, BRICS' counter-terrorism strategy has been given its final touch. India will take it forward during its leadership.”

During its leadership of BRICS, India will promote digital health and traditional medicine among BRICS countries, Modi said.

PM Modi to Face Xi Jinping

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release stated that PM Narendra Modi is attending the virtual summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Leaders would be discussing intra-BRICS cooperation and key issues in the global context, including the reform of the multilateral system, measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation in Counter Terrorism, trade, health, energy and people to people exchanges.”

Ministry of External Affairs

Prime Minister Modi will face Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second time after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, amid ongoing border disputes.

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will discuss the state and prospects of cooperation within BRICS, exchange views on relevant current issues on the international and regional agenda, the Russian foreign ministry stated.

India will be taking over the Chairship of BRICS, which would be the third BRICS Presidency for India since its inception (after 2012 and 2016), and will host the 13th BRICS Summit in 2021, MEA stated.