NEW DELHI: The 11-member Brics comprising key emerging economies condemned in “the strongest terms” Pahalgam terrorist attack, seeking concerted action against UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, and unambiguously backed a comprehensive reform of UN Security Council (UNSC), in two significant takeaways for India from Rio Summit.Among other highlights was India joining Brics in condemning attacks on Iran since June 13 (without naming Israel), expressing grave concern about the situation in “Occupied Palestinian territory” with resumption of “continuous Israeli attacks” against Gaza, obstruction to humanitarian aid and use of starvation as a method of warfare – something which Israel has rejected.According to Rio Declaration, Brics nations expressed serious concerns about rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. While this was an obvious message to the Trump administration, the declaration stopped short of naming US because some members were not comfortable with it. The declaration also said imposition of unilateral coercive measures are contrary to international law and measures like unilateral economic sanctions have far-reaching negative implications.At India’s behest, there was ample focus on terrorism in the declaration that urged zero tolerance for terrorism and rejected double standards in countering terrorism. India uses the same language to counter Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism and also China’s shielding at UN of UN-banned terrorists based in Pakistan.“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in J&K on April 22, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens,” said the declaration, while calling for an expeditious finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework.According to Indian govt officials, Rio summit also adopted “strongest-ever language” for UN reforms by calling for a comprehensive reform of Security Council with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase representation of developing countries.Recalling 2022 Beijing and 2023 Johannesburg declarations, China and Russia, as permanent members of UNSC, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in UN, including its Security Council. Interestingly, the Beijing declaration had only said in UN, and not ‘including in UNSC’. The Rio Declaration also said a reformed UNSC will amplify voice of the Global South.While condemning the attacks on Iran – and expressing concern over “deliberate” attacks on “peaceful” nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards – the declaration was also littered with references to the Israel-Palestine issue, something which continues to test India’s balancing exercise. In case of Iran, there was no mention of Israel like in an earlier statement by Brics last month, which too was endorsed by India, but on this occasion the declaration didn’t just express concern but also condemned the military strikes.In case of Gaza, the declaration explicitly mentioned “continuous Israeli attacks” calling for adherence to international law and recalling that Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’.
