BRICS Summit 2016 Goa Round Up
Combating all forms of terrorism is a key BRICS priority
It was an action packed day at BRICS Summit in Goa with Prime Minister Modi stating that combating terrorism, including cross-border terrorism and its supporters is a key BRICS priority. Prime Minister Modi took on the issue of fighting terrorism head on stating that a selective approach to countering terrorist individuals or organizations will be futile and counter-productive.
At the plenary session of the BRICS summit in Goa, Prime Minister Modi said terrorism casts a long shadow on our development and economic prosperity. “In the world we inhabit today, security and counter-terrorism cooperation is necessary if we are to secure the lives of our citizens. Terrorism has grown more lethal and is adept at the use of technology. Our response to terrorism must, therefore, be nothing less than comprehensive” he said.
Mr Modi further said that criminality should be the only basis for punitive action against the individuals and organizations responsible for carrying out terrorist acts. There must be no distinction based on artificial and self-serving grounds, he added.
PM in his press statement said that the BRICS leaders agreed that those who nurture, shelter, support &sponsor forces of violence &terror are as much a threat to us as terrorists themselves
Prime Minister hoped that early adoption of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism will be an expression of our resolve to fight this menace.
Speaking about the role of BRICS, Prime Minister said “in a world of new security challenges and continuing economic uncertainties, BRICS stands as a beacon of peace, potential and promise” . He expressed satisfaction that the Goa Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summitlays down a comprehensive vision for our cooperation. The BRICS leaders agreed to focus on institution building within the BRICS as an effective way to pursue our development agenda and acknowledged that 10 years of BRICS partnership has produced strong benefits of cooperation.
Economic
In the meeting with the BRICS Business Council Prime Minister Modi laid stress on deepening economic cooperation between BRICS nations. Mr Modi said “promoting economic and commercial engagement has been a foundational impulse in the creation of BRICS.”
He said the government has undertaken substantial reforms in the last two years to streamline and simplify governance, especially doing business in India. “The results are clearly visible. We have moved up in almost all global indices that measure such performances.” PM asserted that India has been transformed into one of the most open economies in the world today. Mr. Modi further asked BRICS Business Council to work closely with the New Development Bank on identifying and implementing prospective economic projects.
The BRICS leaders during their meeting agreed to fast track the setting up of a BRICS Rating Agency. They also discussed establishment of BRICS Agri-Business Platform, Railway Research Network, Sports Council among others.
Prime Minister described BIMSTEC outreach as the key highlight of the Goa Summit. He said it presented a unique opportunity for forging closer partnerships in the region.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had bilateral meetings with the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. PM Modi briefed the Sri Lankan President about the Uri Attack and expressed gratitude for sharing the grief. Butanese PM said “terrorism in all forms is unacceptable and cross border terrorism is the worst form of terrorism”.
On the sidelines of the summit, renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik enthralled the BRICS leaders by creating sand sculptures of monuments of all the five member countries in the lobby of the BRICS Summit Hotel in South Goa. While Taj Mahal represents India, other countries were represented by the Great of Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, St. Basil’s Cathedral at Moscow’s Red Square and the statue of the South African leader Nelson Mandela.
PIB Goa | MD/VK
