Underlining India’s fight against terrorism, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday called for joint efforts by the world, and said countries harbouring terrorists should pay the price. Swaraj was speaking at the 2nd BRICS Youth Summit being organised in New Delhi. India is the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) chair during the current year and will host the eighth annual Summit of the five- member strong bloc in Goa in October.
While saying BRICS is shaping the global discourse significantly on issues ranging from SDGs, climate change, poverty alleviation, health, ICTs, corruption and norms of international law, Swaraj stressed that in order to eliminate terrorism, countries need to join hands in various forums like the BRICS, United Nations Security Council and its various Committees.
“This should be done without any differentiation of a “good” or “bad” terrorist. A terrorist is a terrorist, and is someone who is acting against humanity as a whole. Those countries which sponsor and harbour terrorists should be made to pay a price,” Swaraj said. Her obvious reference was to nations like Pakistan who have been obstructing the India-backed treaty — Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) -- that aims to criminalise all kinds of international terrorism, denying them finances, arms, safe havens and patronage.
Talking about BRICS, she noted that building “responsive, inclusive and collective solutions” would be core to India’s chairmanship. A series of events are being organised with special focus on youth which include the BRICS Under-17 Football Tournament, Young Diplomats’ Forum, Young Scientists’ Conclave, Film Festival, Urbanisation Forum, Smart Cities Workshop, local Bodies Conference, Wellness Conclave and Convention on Tourism.