Condemn in strongest terms: BRICS statement's special mention of Pahalgam attack
The BRICS leaders’ joint declaration issued in New Delhi has condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured,” the declaration said.
The leaders said acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motive, location or perpetrators. They reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and safe havens.
The declaration said terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. It called for those involved in terrorist activities, as well as their supporters, to be held accountable under national and international law.
"We urge zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism," it said.
The joint declaration said states bore primary responsibility for tackling the threat, while such efforts must comply with international law, including the UN Charter and applicable human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.
The declaration also welcomed the work of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and its five subgroups. It called for deeper cooperation and the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
This is the second consecutive year that a BRICS statement has condemned the Pahalgam attack. In September 2025, BRICS ministers issued a joint statement condemning the killings and reaffirming their commitment to tackling cross-border terrorism, financing and safe havens.
In the same month, the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) had also "strongly condemned" the terror attack but steered clear of naming Pakistan, despite India's long-standing charge that Islamabad provides a safe haven to terror outfits.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 17:07 IST
