Narendra Modi pushes for greater cooperation within BRICS

Terrorism, radicalisation and transnational crimes pose grave threats to each of us, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pushed for greater collaboration among BRICS countries, which also include Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa besides India, as well as members of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping, on the issues of terrorism, economy, trade and connectivity.

“Terrorism, radicalisation, and transnational crimes pose grave threats to each of us,” Modi said addressing the first BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Meeting that was also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Michel Temer.

Among the BIMSTEC leaders present were Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Myanmarese leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tsering Tobgay.

“In South Asia and BIMSTEC, all nation states, barring one, are motivated to pursue a path of peace, development and economic prosperity for its people. Unfortunately, this country in India’s neighbourhood embraces and radiates the darkness of terrorism,” he said in a clear reference to Pakistan. “Terrorism has become its favourite child. And, the child in turn has come to define the fundamental character and nature of its parent.” Modi said that with 1.5 billion people and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $2. 5 trillion, the countries of BIMSTEC have shared aspirations for growth, development, commerce, and technology. 

Their quest for economic prosperity can shape the agenda for building economic partnerships with BRICS, he said.

Similarly, BRICS represents large emerging economies, G- 20 member-states and two permanent members of the UN Security Council. “Its (BRICS) linkages with BIMSTEC economies will enlarge the regional and global sphere of dynamic growth and prosperity,” the Prime Minister said.

India is making all out efforts to revive BIMSTEC as Prime Ministers of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (State Counsellor) besides Thai Deputy Foreign Minister come together with BRICS leaders to forge a new partnership.

This also assumes significance given the collapse of recent SAARC Summit after four countries apart from India pulled out of the meet to be hosted by Pakistan over the issue of cross-border terrorism, maintaining that environment was not conducive to hold such an event. 

Modi said the convergence of purpose and priorities between BRICS and BIMSTEC provides a perfect opportunity to frame economic and development partnership, shape ties in the fields of energy, agriculture, technology, fisheries, and culture besides structured trade, investment and commercial partnerships and pool resources to fight terrorism and transnational crime.