BRICS' leaders call for universal front to deal with terrorism

Leaders of the BRICS nations, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today called for developing a united counter-terrorism strategy to fight the menace at global level.
In his speech at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations' leaders, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi said counter-terrorism should become an important aspect of the BRICS countries' work.
"The scourge of terrorism is growing, and all humankind should unite to fight it. This must be a priority for BRICS countries as well," he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a BRICS statement, said that Beijing strongly denounces the terrorist attacks in Paris and will build on efforts to combat all forms of terrorism.

"China, like the rest of the BRICS countries, expresses its solidarity with the French people, and we will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community to fight terrorism in all of its forms," he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said BRICS leaders believe it is necessary to set up a "universal counter- terrorism front".

Russia holds the chairmanship of BRICS and that will pass to India in February 2016.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that BRICS member states, as well as G20 countries, are "very much focused on counter-terrorism issues".
The killing of 129 persons in Paris terror attacks linked to the Islamic State ahead of the G20 Summit has put pressure on global leaders to enhance cooperation in their fight against terrorism.

South African President Jacob Zuma condemned the Paris terror attacks and expressed support to French President Francois Hollande.
Zuma, the BRICS statement said expressed willingness for joint global long-term counter-terrorism actions, which, according to him, should be held under the auspices of the UN.
The BRICS meeting and the G20 Summit were overshadowed by the terror strike.