Appreciable declaration

The BRICS Goa summit declaration focused on terrorism. In fact, the declaration is perhaps the strongest ever indictment of terror and its perpetrators. India has rightly set the agenda of BRICS with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for India-BRICS cooperation in making the world free from the scourge of terrorism. The Goa declaration is a clear victory of Indian diplomacy.

An international document like that of BRICS declaration cannot name and shame individual nations. India, therefore, need not be discouraged for not explicitly referring to Pakistan. However, the summit held on South Asian soil speaking about terror obviously points to Islamabad. The BRICS declaration strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism.

The declaration is much more refreshing given the fact Pakistan enjoys close military partnership with China and is forging fresh strategic links with Russia. Both China and Russia are partners in the BRICS grouping along with India, Brazil and South Africa. China and Russia are seemingly annoyed over Indian strategic proximity with United States. Beijing is particularly worried over India joining Japan and United States in the encirclement of China in South China Sea.

Yet, BRICS summit echoing Indian concerns over terrorism is a reflection of India’s consummate diplomatic endeavour. As the summit declaration itself acknowledged, BRICS countries represent an influential voice on the global stage. The New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) initiated by BRICS had greatly contributed to the strengthening of international financial architecture plagued by western control of global money.

More explicitly, the BRICS summit called for reforms at International Monetary Fund (IMF) that shall ensure increased voice of emerging and developing economies while protecting voices of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), poor countries and regions. The outreach summit of BRICS leaders with the leaders of BIMSTEC nations help in the BRICs engagement with developing and emerging economies. Such an outreach would further boost the efforts to make international economic order more inclusive and multi-polar.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) represents Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. It’s appreciable that the BRICS declaration has reiterated its commitment to just, equitable, and democratic multi-polar international order that ascribes United Nations central role in maintaining international peace and security.

The BRICS firm and repeated assertion to adhere to the international law is significant at a time when the world is confronted with global policing by the military and economic might of the super power in the post cold war era that saw the eclipse of parity of forces. The BRICS declaration in no uncertain terms abhorred interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, imposition of unilateral coercive measures, unilateral military interventions and economic sanctions.

It’s much more gratifying for India as BRICs reasserted the need for reforming UN Security Council. It has specifically called for increased representation for developing countries. BRICS is home to 43 per cent of world population besides being the conglomerate of strong economies. The international community cannot be impervious to the call of the BRICS eighth summit held on Indian soil.