BRICS | Terrorism is one of the major threats to international peace and security: Jaishankar

Cape Town. Describing terrorism as one of the major threats to international peace and security, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that all countries should take strong steps against this menace, including its financing and propaganda. Jaishankar, in his opening remarks at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting, indirectly attacked Pakistan, saying terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be combated and those involved in terrorist acts should never be punished under any circumstances. should also not be forgiven. Jaishankar said, “Terrorism is one of the major threats to international peace and security. All nations must take resolute steps against this menace, including its financing and promotion.” Apart from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor was also present in this meeting. Jaishankar has in the past described Pakistan as a “hub of terrorism” where terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Sajid Mir and Dawood Ibrahim have taken shelter. Terming the international situation as challenging, Jaishankar said the global environment today demands that the BRICS nations seriously, constructively and collectively consider major contemporary issues. #WATCH | “Among the key threats to international peace & security, is that of terrorism. All nations must take resolute measures against this menace, including its financing and propaganda. It must be combated in all its forms and manifestations and never be condoned under any… pic.twitter.com/hGEgZutEU4 — ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2023 “A strong message should go through our meeting that the world is multipolar. It is rebalancing and new situations cannot be dealt with in old ways. We are the epitome of change and we must act accordingly.” “This responsibility is even greater as we consider the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, tensions arising from the conflict and the economic crisis in the Global South,” Jaishankar said without mentioning the Ukraine conflict. He said that these underline the deep flaws of the current international structure which does not reflect today’s politics, economics, demography or aspirations. Jaishankar called upon the BRICS member states to demonstrate their seriousness in reforming multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council. India has long been a leader in strongly advocating for long overdue reform of the Security Council. The Foreign Minister said, “For two decades, we have heard the demand for reform of multilateral institutions, but we have been continuously disappointed. Therefore, it is imperative that the BRICS member states show seriousness regarding the reform of global decision-making, including the UN Security Council. Jaishankar said that at the heart of the problems countries are facing are economic activities that leave many countries at the mercy of a few. “It could be in relation to production, resources, services or connectivity. Recent experiences affecting health, energy and food security only highlight this delicate situation.” BRICS, a group of emerging economies, includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Thursday’s meeting of the foreign ministers of these countries is taking place ahead of the BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg in August. The group represents 41 percent of the global population, 24 percent of global GDP and 16 percent of global trade. (agency)