BRICS National Security representatives call for stronger cooperation to counter terrorism: MEA

The Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) High Representatives responsible for security on Thursday called for expansion of counter terrorism cooperation within the group.

The BRICS Representatives responsible for security, in their sixth meeting, encouraged cooperation and exchange of best practices, expertise, information and knowledge on counter terrorism issues and stressed on denying terrorists access of kinds of facilities.

"The higher representatives encouraged cooperation and exchange of best practices, expertise, information and knowledge on counter terrorism issues. In this context, they welcomed the first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Counter Terrorism that was held a day before. They also agreed to expand BRICS counter terrorism cooperation further to include measures for denying terrorists access to finance and terror hardware such as equipment, arms and ammunition," informed Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

"Acknowledging the positive contribution of the BRICS grouping on important global issues they deliberated on security issues such as counter terrorism, cyber security and energy security. In the area of cyber security and information security they agreed to strengthen join efforts on enhancing cyber security by sharing on information best practices, combating cyber crimes improving cooperation between technical and law enforcement agencies including joint cyber security R and D and capacity building," he added.

The need for a global legal regime to deal with the global menace of terrorism was also tabled in the meeting.

Meanwhile the higher representatives concurred on a BRICS forum to progressively consolidate cooperation and exchanges between respective agencies in security related fields.

Swarup further informed that the BRICS representatives also exchanged assessments of recent developments in the west-Asia and North Africa region.

"BRICS representatives also agreed to explore regular energy dialogue between BRICS countries in order to discuss long term and medium term energy security issues while highlighting the need for resolution of standing disputes in west Asia, North Africa through dialogue peaceful means and in accordance with international law and the principals of the UN charter," he said.

"BRICS higher representatives also agreed to pool BRICS efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism emanating from the region," he added.

The delegation from Brazil was led by H.E. General Sergio Westphalen Etchegoyen, Minister of State, Head of the Cabinet for Institutional Security of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil, Russia by H.E. Mr. Nikolai P. Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, China by H.E. Mr. Yang Jiechi, State Councilor, People's Republic of China, and South Africa by H.E. Mr. Mbangiseni David Mahlobo, Minister of State Security. The Indian team at the talks was led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.