New Delhi, (thestates.news)| Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led India’s participation at the 14th BRICS Summit, noted that BRICS members should understand security concerns of each other and provide mutual support in designation of terrorists and that this sensitive issue should not be politicized – in the wake of China blocking India’s proposal at the UN to list Pakistan-based Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist.
Prime Minister participated at the 14th BRICS Summit, convened under the Chairship of President Xi Jinping of China on June 23-24, in a virtual format. President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa participated in the Summit on June 23. The High-level Dialogue on Global Development, a non-BRICS engagement segment of the Summit, was held on June 24.On June 23, the leaders held discussions including in the fields of Counter-Terrorism, Trade, Health, Traditional Medicine, Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation, Agriculture, Technical and Vocational Education & Training, and also key issues in the global context, including the reform of the multilateral system, COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, amongst others.
Prime Minister called for strengthening of the BRICS Identity and proposed establishment of Online Database for BRICS documents, BRICS Railways Research Network, and strengthening cooperation between MSMEs. India will be organizing a BRICS Startup event this year to strengthen connection between Startups in BRICS countries. Prime Minister also noted that as BRICS members we should understand security concerns of each other and provide mutual support in designation of terrorists; this sensitive issue should not be politicized. At the conclusion of the Summit, BRICS Leaders adopted the ‘Beijing Declaration’, an official statement said.
On June 24, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s development partnership with Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia, and from Pacific to Caribbean; India’s focus on a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime space; respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations from the Indian Ocean Region to Pacific Ocean; and reform of multilateral system as large parts of Asia and all of Africa and Latin America have no voice in global decision-making. Prime Minister noted the importance of circular economy and invited citizens of participating countries to join Lifestyle for Environment (LIFE) campaign. The participating guest countries were Algeria, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Earlier, in the keynote speech delivered at the Opening Ceremony of BRICS Business Forum on June 22, Prime Minister Modi appreciated BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women Business Alliance which continued their work despite COVID-19 Pandemic. He also suggested the BRICS business community to further cooperate in field of technology-based solutions for social and economic challenges, Startups, and MSMEs. On June 17, China blocked a joint proposal at the United Nations by India and the United States to list Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist under the Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the Security Council. Makki is a US-designated terrorist and the brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed. India and the US had put a joint proposal to designate Makki as a global terrorist under the 1267 ISIL and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council but Beijing placed a hold on this proposal at the last minute. (UNI)
