India today hosted a high-level meeting of BRICS countries on counter-terrorism during which cooperation in areas like capacity building, information- sharing, technology-sharing and countering online radicalisation was discussed.
As the chair of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) grouping, India hosted the First Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism with delegations from all member countries attending it.
"The meeting discussed various issues related to terrorism including domestic perspectives and assessments of threat scenario and cooperation among BRICS Member States on capacity building, information sharing, technology sharing, countering online radicalisation as well as cooperation in multilateral forums such as United Nations and Financial Action Task Force," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
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"The discussions were held in frank and friendly atmosphere. The discussions led to better understanding among BRICS Member States on the issue of terrorism and all participants agreed to take this issue forward in coming years," it said of the meeting that was presided by Santosh Jha, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The delegation from Brazil was led by Ambassador Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira, China by Liu Guangyuan, Russia by Ilya Rogachev and South Africa by Nakampe Michael.
The meeting took place just about a month ahead of the BRICS Summit in Goa.
"Terrorism is a global problem. It cannot be tackled
individually and has to be tackled collectively. We cannot have a differential policy towards terrorism. There is no good terrorist or bad terrorist. So, these are the issues on which there will reiteration of national positions," Secretary (Economic Relations) in External Affairs Ministry Amar Sinha had said.
During the meeting of NSAs of BRICS grouping, India had strongly pitched that action should not only be taken against sources of finances but also sources from where terrorists get arms and ammunition.
Three MoUs including those on cooperation in the area of environment and customs have been agreed upon by the BRICS countries, Sinha had said, adding the pact pertaining to customs will help in breaking the trade barriers between these countries.
The other key issues to be taken up during these significant diplomatic outreach events include cooperation in areas of economy, tourism, connectivity, cultural, education and sports.
The main BRICS Summit on October 16 will begin with a photo opportunity followed by restricted talks between the leaders and later a meeting of business captains from the member-countries. In the second half, after the speech of the leaders, there will be BRICS and BIMSTEC retreat.
Security situation in Afghanistan, Syria and Sudan is also expected to be discussed when the BRICS leaders take up important regional and international issues.
