On Thursday i.e. June 01, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated that terrorism stands as a significant peril to global peace and security.
He emphasized the imperative for all nations to adopt stringent measures to combat this menace, including measures to counteract its financing and propaganda.
During his opening remarks at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, Jaishankar indirectly addressed the issue of terrorism, emphasizing the need to combat it in all its forms and manifestations.
He expressed that individuals involved in terrorist acts should never escape punishment and should not be granted forgiveness under any circumstances.
During the meeting, Jaishankar underscored that terrorism remains one of the foremost threats to global peace and security.
He urged all nations, alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, who were also present, to take decisive actions in combating this menace, encompassing measures to counter its financing and propaganda.
In previous instances, Jaishankar has referred to Pakistan as a 'hub of terrorism,' highlighting the presence of individuals such as Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Sajid Mir, and Dawood Ibrahim who have sought refuge there.
Describing the international landscape as challenging, Jaishankar emphasized the need for serious, constructive, and collective deliberation among BRICS nations regarding significant contemporary issues, in line with the demands of the global environment.
During the meeting, Jaishankar emphasized the need for a resolute message to be conveyed, acknowledging that the world is now multipolar, undergoing a process of rebalancing, and necessitates fresh approaches to address new circumstances.
Without explicitly referencing the Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of shouldering responsibility, particularly in light of the destructive repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating tensions, and the economic crisis faced by the Global South. He underscored the importance of being agents of change and acting accordingly.
He emphasized that these aspects highlight the significant deficiencies of the existing international framework, which fails to adequately represent the contemporary landscape of politics, economics, demography, and aspirations.
Jaishankar urged the BRICS member nations to exhibit their commitment to reforming multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations Security Council.
India has been at the forefront of advocating for substantial reforms to the Security Council, a matter that has been pending for an extended period.
The Foreign Minister expressed, "Over the past two decades, we have consistently heard the call for reforming multilateral institutions, yet we have experienced ongoing disappointment.
Hence, it is vital for the BRICS member nations to demonstrate a sincere commitment to reform global decision-making structures, including the United Nations Security Council."
Jaishankar highlighted that economic activities lie at the core of the challenges confronting nations, resulting in a situation where several countries are left vulnerable to the influence of a select few.
He stated, "This can encompass various aspects such as production, resources, services, or connectivity.
Recent events impacting health, energy, and food security only serve to underscore the fragility of this situation.
BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents a coalition of emerging economies."
Collectively, this group represents a significant portion of the global landscape, with 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of global GDP, and 16 per cent of global trade.
