Counter-terror strategy & multilateral reforms to top agenda of India’s BRICS Presidency

Action plan to counter-terror will top the agenda for the 13th BRICS Summit to be hosted by New Delhi this year. All eyes will be on China that has often tried to shield its ally Pakistan & Pak-based terror groups & operatives. China’s intransigence has often made it difficult to designate terror-operatives at various international fora. It may be recalled that a number of Pak-based leaders of terror outfits have been listed by UNSC after challenging negotiations. However, India will make all attempts to build a robust counter-terror agenda for the BRICS building on the achievements of the 2019 BRICS Presidency under Brazil and 2020 BRICS Presidency under Russia.

BRICS Counter-Terror strategy adopted at the 2020 summit had put the onus on China to effectively fight cross border and instead of shielding Islamabad, in what was meant to strengthen India’s long-standing demand for a united front against the menace. The Action Plan expected to be adopted in 2021 summit will be based on the strategy last year. The BRICS works by consensus and unlike many other global bodies has a concrete delivery mechanism that includes a Bank and disbursement of finance for development projects, a source explained.

The counter-terror strategy to which China was also a party calls for ‘rejection of double standards on countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism’. It may be recalled that while China has acted tough on terrorism on its soil it has often shielded Pakistan during efforts by international bodies to act Pakistan’s use of terror as an instrument of state policy. SCO Regional Anti-Terror Structure or RATS also did not impact China’s policy towards Pakistan which is often guided by its geo-political interests in South Asia. It was decided at the 2020 Summit to utilize BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group to strengthen intelligence and information sharing and cooperation on terrorist organizations listed by the UN Security Council.

The BRICS Counter-Terror strategy also called for inadmissibility of using terrorist groups, or issues pertaining to countering international terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism, for political ends. The BRICS states also decided to enhance cooperation in the sphere of mutual legal assistance and extradition, in conformity with their domestic laws and regulations, to afford the widest measure of assistance in connection with investigation or criminal proceedings against terrorists.

The strategy also called for broadening BRICS counter-terrorism cooperation with the United Nations, as well as the G-20 and the FATF. Besides counter-terrorism reform of multilateral system based on New Delhi’s principled position on multilateralism will be among India’s priorities for its BRICS Presidency. This includes reforms of key global institutions including WTO, WHO & other financial bodies. India will also try to promote Technological and Digital solutions for Sustainable Development Goals and People to People Cooperation as part of its BRICS Presidency.

India will also try to promote cooperation for economic growth and development for mutual prosperity through the expansion of intra-BRICS cooperation in sectors such as trade, agriculture, infrastructure, small and medium enterprises, energy and finance & banking. India will focus on the use of technological and digital solutions for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in BRICS countries with a special focus on – Implementation of the BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy 2020-25; Operationalization of the BRICS Agriculture Research Platform; Cooperation on Disaster Resilience; Innovation Cooperation and Digital Health and Traditional Medicine.