In a first, BRICS Declaration names Pakistan-based LeT, JeM; condemns terrorism

Xiamen: In a major diplomatic win for India, a joint declaration adopted by the BRICS member states on Monday unanimously condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

''We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification'', the BRICS Xiamen Declaration said.

''We express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, al Qaeda and its affiliates including the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir'', the Xiamen Declaration further said.

Shifting focus to North Korea, the BRICS leaders said, ''We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).''

In a bid to tackle terrorism, the BRICS leaders also called on the UN General Assembly to take urgent steps aimed at preventing the financing of various terrorist outfits across the globe. 

'We call for expeditious finalization and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by UNGA'', the BRICS Declaration added.

The move is significant as it is for the first time that there has been a specific listing of terrorists outfits at the BRICS Summit, according to Preeti Saran, MEA Secretary (East).

Leaders called on states to prevent financing of terrorist networks and stern action against those from their territories, Saran added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier emphasized the need for cooperation among the BRICS member nations for peace and development.

"Cooperation is important for peace and development. A strong BRICS partnership on innovation and digital economy can help spur growth, promote transparency and support the SDGs (sustainable development goals)," Modi said while speaking at the plenary session of the bloc's three-day summit here. 

He started his address by thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping for the warm reception and excellent organisation of the 9th edition of the annual summit. 

The Prime Minister stressed for accelerating track of cooperation in smart cities, urbanisation and disaster management - continuing dialogue at Goa in India and said that "we are in mission-mode to eradicate poverty, to ensure health, sanitation, skills, food security, gender equality, energy, education". 

He said that the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - can work closely with ISA (International Solar Alliance) to strengthen the solar energy agenda and that affordable, reliable and sustainable access to energy is crucial for development of our nations. 

"Renewable energy is particularly important," Modi added.

Appreciating a boost in ''people-to-people exchanges'', Modi stated that such inter-mingling would consolidate their links and deepen their understanding. 

He said that BRICS has developed a robust framework for cooperation, contribute stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty. 

The Prime Minister welcomed cooperation for capacity building between BRICS and African countries in area of skills, health, infra, manufacturing and connectivity. 

He also asked to grab the youths in mainstream in the joint initiatives, scaled up cooperation in skill development and exchange of best practices. 

Modi arrived in Xiamen on Sunday for the summit. 

With Agency inputs