Don't politicise 'designation of terrorists', Modi tells Brics

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi called upon Brics member-states in the just concluded summit to show understanding of the security concerns of each other and to provide mutual support in “designation of terrorists”.

In the meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Modi emphasised that this sensitive issue should not be politicised. The development comes shortly after China put a “technical hold” on a joint India-US proposal for a UN ban on Pakistan-based LeT deputy commander Abdul Rehman Makki who is accused of planning and financing terror attacks in India

Following China’s hold, India had called upon Beijing to shun “double standards” in the fight against terrorism and said that such efforts to shield terrorists could expose China too to the growing threat from terrorism. China had in the past blocked on several occasions a similar proposal to designate terror group Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist. It’s still rare for the PM himself to raise the designation issue in a multilateral summit. In another meeting, Modi highlighted India’s development ties with Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia, and from Pacific to Caribbean and also India’s focus on a free, open, inclusive maritime space.

He called for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations from the Indian Ocean Region to Pacific Ocean. With India’s military standoff with China yet to be fully resolved, India believes it’s high time the group lived up to its stated commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. Modi also called for reform of multilateral system as large parts of Asia and all of Africa and Latin America have no voice in global decision-making.

“PM noted the importance of circular economy and invited citizens of participating countries to join Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE) campaign. The participating guest countries were Algeria, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Thailand,” said the government in a statement.

He also called for strengthening of the Brics Identity and proposed establishment of Online Database for Brics documents, Brics Railways Research Network, and strengthening ties between MSMEs.