NEW DELHI: The 11th Brics Parliamentary Forum has unequivocally condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which 26 innocent civilians were masscared, triggering tensions with Pakistan that culminated with Operation Sindoor.“We express strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025,” said the forum whose members include China, Pakistan’s staunchest ally.The formulation, adopted by the forum after its three-day meeting in Brasilia where the Indian delegation was led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, is seen a repudiation of the “root cause” alibi used by Pakistan to justify anti-India terror.“We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens,” the resolution further said.In his speech, Birla stressed the need for joint efforts to curb financial support to terrorist organisations, enhance intelligence sharing, prevent the misuse of emerging technologies, & promote cooperation in investigation and judicial processes. He also highlighted India’s strong and clear position on various key subjects, especially global cooperation against terrorism, a just and balanced international order, participation in technological innovation, and democratic exchange.On terrorism, the parliamentary forum asked for zero tolerance response to terrorism, rejected double standards in countering it, while also underlining “terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group, and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law.““We call for concerted actions against all UN designated terroist and terrorist entities,” it further said.Birla Thursday had made a strong pitch for cooperation among Brics nations for securing enhanced representation for developing countries in multilateral institutions. His pitch for Brics soldidarity coincided with signs of US’s irritation with India’s membership of the grouping which is equated with call for de-dollarisation. US commerce secretary Robert Lutnick said earlier this week that India rubbed the US the wrong way by, among other things, joining Brics.
