The BRICS Parliamentary Forum, comprising member nations including India, China, Iran, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa, has strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. Led by India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the forum adopted a joint declaration emphasizing collective action against terrorism. The member countries vowed to enhance cooperation in intelligence sharing, curb financial support to terror groups, and strengthen investigative and judicial collaboration to effectively combat terrorism worldwide.
The two-day forum held in Brasilia, Brazil, gathered delegates from 10 member nations including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, with Om Birla leading the high-level Indian delegation. The communique released by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on June 5 highlighted India’s firm stance against terrorism, which was widely acknowledged by the forum participants. Birla’s address underscored the importance of joint efforts to prevent misuse of emerging technologies by terror groups and stressed the need for a just and balanced international order.
Joint Declaration Highlights
The joint declaration specifically condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and called for united global action. Birla emphasized that stopping the flow of funds to terrorist organizations and increasing intelligence cooperation are crucial steps. The forum also discussed global challenges such as the responsible use of artificial intelligence, inter-parliamentary cooperation, global trade, and international peace and security, reflecting the broad agenda of BRICS beyond security issues.
Birla’s leadership was formally recognized at the end of the forum as he was handed over the chairmanship of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum. India will host the 12th edition of the forum next year, promising to play a proactive role in advancing cooperation among BRICS parliaments to address pressing global issues.
Context of Terrorism and Recent Military Actions
The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, intensified tensions between India and Pakistan. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor in early May, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The military strikes, involving the Indian Army and Air Force, reportedly eliminated over 100 terrorists and triggered a series of retaliatory actions before a ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10. The BRICS Parliamentary Forum’s condemnation reflects a united front by key nations to counter terrorism and support peace and security.
This collective stance by BRICS members, including traditionally non-aligned nations like China and Iran, signals growing global cooperation against terrorism, emphasizing the importance of multilateral efforts to tackle threats to peace and security across regions.
