BRICS condemns Pahalgam attack

The BRICS grouping has condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest terms and echoed India's position for adopting a "zero tolerance" approach towards terrorism and shunning double standards in countering the menace. The top leaders of BRICS nations articulated their firm approach in combating terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists, on the first day of the grouping's two-day summit in this seaside Brazilian city.The BRICS leaders unveiled the "Rio de Janeiro Declaration" that featured the bloc's position on a number of pressing global challenges, including the threat of terrorism, the situation in West Asia, and issues relating to trade and tariff.

In a joint declaration at the 17th BRICS Summit on Sunday, the leaders said, “We express our full support to the Presidency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP-30, which will take place in Belém, Brazil, highlighting the importance of action and cooperation on all pillars of the UNFCCC as applicable, considering each country’s membership and commitments thereunder. We also underscore our full commitment to a successful COP30 that will catalyze progress in implementing the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. We welcome India’s candidacy to host COP 33 in 2028.”

The declaration reiterated the commitment of BRICS countries to remain united in pursuing the goals of the UNFCCC and called on all countries to uphold their existing commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. It urged intensified efforts in mitigation, adaptation, and providing support to developing nations, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

The BRICS leaders called for a stronger global response to climate change, linking it to sustainable development and poverty eradication. They endorsed the BRICS Climate Leadership Agenda as a pledge to advance solutions that support development priorities while accelerating implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. The joint statement also highlighted the critical role of forests in conserving biodiversity, regulating water cycles, combating desertification, and serving as carbon sinks. It noted the United for Our Forests initiative and India’s proposal to form an international Big Cats Alliance, encouraging cooperation among BRICS countries on conservation efforts.