The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs have condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on 22nd of April in the strongest terms. The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs held their annual meeting on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday.
The meeting was chaired by India in its capacity as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2026. In a Joint Media Statement, the Ministers expressed strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens.
They reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization 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.
They urged to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. They called for an expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework. They called for concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities.
The Ministers expressed concern over the proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rise of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism.
They voiced serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. They cautioned against such practices that risk fragmenting global trade and marginalizing the Global South.
