Terrorism figures prominently in BRICS Sherpas' meet

Ahead of the eighth BRICS Summit, terrorism figured prominently in a meeting of the participating countries' Sherpas in Goa on Thursday.

"Terrorism being a common challenge faced by all BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries was an important part of the discussion," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup informed the media following the meeting.

This comes in the wake of the September 18 terror attack on an army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir in which 19 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

India has blamed the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack.

After receiving credible information, the Indian Army in the early hours of September 29 carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir in which "significant casualties were caused to the terrorists and those who are trying to support them".

Major world powers, including the US and Russia, have supported India's action.

India assumed the rotating chairmanship of the BRICS grouping this year.

"The BRICS Sherpas meeting to discuss and finalise text of the Goa Declaration and the Goa Action Plan for adoption by the leaders at the Summit is continuing today and tomorrow in Goa," Swarup said.

India's Sherpa for the BRICS Summit Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the External Affairs Ministry, chaired Thursday's meeting.

"The Sherpas discussed several important subjects including reform of the UN and IMF, WTO and G20 issues, progress on the sustainable development goals etc.," Swarup said.

"A particular focus was on intra-BRICS trade, finance and industrial cooperation as well BRICS cooperation in education, health, agriculture, science, energy and disaster management."

India's chairmanship of BRICS has been marked by several new initiatives, enhanced people to people contacts and broadbasing BRICS sectoral cooperation.

The eighth BRICS Summit will be held in Goa on October 15-16.

--IANS

ab/lok