BRICS Leaders Express Disapproval of Pahalgam Incident, Reject Selective Approaches in combating Terrorism
In the wake of the heinous Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists, global leaders have condemned the act and called for decisive actions against terrorism. The attack, traced to communication nodes in and to Pakistan, has sparked a renewed call for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
The BRICS leaders, including those from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack at their July 2025 summit in Rio de Janeiro. They emphasized combating terrorism in all its forms—cross-border terrorist movement, financing, and safe havens—and insisted on zero tolerance and rejection of double standards in terrorism countermeasures.
India and Cyprus, in a joint declaration from June 2025, reaffirmed their shared commitment to the early implementation of the CCIT within the UN framework and urged concerted action against all UN- and EU-designated terrorists. This reflects continued bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts to advance the CCIT's adoption and operationalization.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, speaking at the 20th meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Beijing, called for the urgent need to shun double standards in the fight against terrorism. He emphasized the need to dismantle the terror ecosystems of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and their proxies.
The leaders called for the expeditious finalisation and adoption of the CCIT in the UN framework. They urged for concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terror entities, including LeT, JeM, Al Qaeda, ISIS, and their affiliates. The BRICS leaders also rejected double standards in countering terrorism and urged for zero tolerance.
The CCIT, which remains under negotiation within the United Nations framework, has not yet been adopted as of mid-2025. However, significant political pressure and calls for its early adoption have intensified recently, particularly from influential groups such as BRICS countries and individual member states like India and Cyprus.
The broader UN counterterrorism system has seen organizational changes and resource increases. However, as of mid-2025, the CCIT remains a work in progress without a concluded text or entry into force. The UN continues to work on enhancing its counterterrorism architecture, but the formal entry into force of the CCIT is still awaited.
The primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism was emphasized, and global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must comply with international law. The leaders expressed support for the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and its Subgroups.
The Pakistani terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack were identified as having links to the Resistance Front (TRF), a front for the UN-proscribed Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. India called on SCO members to hold accountable the perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of acts of cross-border terror.
In summary, the CCIT has not been adopted yet but is currently a key subject of discussion and political advocacy. The convention remains central to international efforts to create a unified legal framework against terrorism, but its formal entry into force is still awaited. Global leaders continue to emphasize the need for decisive actions against terrorism and the rejection of double standards in counterterrorism measures.
- The ongoing discussion and political advocacy revolves around the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a convention central to international efforts aiming to establish a unified legal framework against terrorism, but yet to be formally adopted.
- In response to the Pahalgam attack, global leaders have insisted on the urgency to shun double standards in countering terrorism and have emphasized the need for decisive actions, including combating terrorism in all its forms, such as cross-border movements, financing, and elimination of safe havens throughout political landscapes, from global forums like the UN to bilateral deals between countries like India and Cyprus.
