BRICS NSAs to adopt action plan against terror before September summit

The BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting scheduled later this month will adopt a forward-looking counter-terror action plan that intends to fight terror financing ahead of the BRICS Summit being held under the Indian Presidency in early September, officials said.

The BRICS Counter Terrorism Action Plan is one of the key deliverables during India’s Chairship. The Action Plan is aimed at further strengthening result-oriented cooperation between BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — in areas such as preventing and combating terrorism, radicalisation, financing of terrorism, misuse of internet by terrorists, curbing travel of terrorists, border control, protection of soft targets, information sharing, capacity building, international and regional cooperation, the officials added.

While Russia has backed India’s proposals under its chairship, all eyes are on China if it walks the talk on the counter-terror action plan given its ‘all-weather friendship’ with Pakistan. This action plan is also pertinent amid the Taliban surge in Afghanistan and the cross-border support it has received.

China has often been a stumbling block and prevents tough counter-terror measures against Pakistan at various other global bodies. China’s intransigence has often made it difficult to designate terror operatives at various international fora. A number of Pak-based leaders of terror outfits have been listed by the UN Security Council after challenging negotiations.

In July, during the BRICS Working Group meeting on counter-terrorism, — while condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations — also exchanged views on terrorism threat assessment at national, regional and global level and resolved to further enhance counter-terrorism cooperation in line with the Action Plan.