Dialogue, not war, says PM at Brics, warns against double standards on terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India supported diplomacy and dialogue and not war while addressing the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, reiterating India’s position that it backed a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi also called for “single-minded and firm support” of all members in combating terrorism, warning against double standards on the matter.
“To combat terrorism and terror financing, we must work together with resolve and unity. There is no room for double standards on such serious issues. We must actively take steps to prevent radicalisation among the youth of our countries. We need to work together on the pending issue of the comprehensive convention on international terrorism at the United Nations,” PM Modi said in the presence of Russian President and host Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders of BRICS,
The remarks assume significance since China has, in the past, blocked several proposals at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based terrorists.
PM Modi attended the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, where he took part in both narrow and expanded format meetings. He is also scheduled to hold a key bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today. This will be the first formal meeting between the two leaders in five years and also comes just two days after India said it reached a truce with China to resume patrolling in disputed areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, ending a four-year military standoff.
In his speech, PM Modi highlighted global challenges such as inflation, food security, and cyber threats. “Preventing inflation and ensuring food and energy security, health security, and water security are matters of priority for all countries in the world,” he stated.
He called on BRICS partners to raise their voices collectively for reforms in global institutions.
“We need to move forward promptly for reforms in global institutions such as the UN Security Council, Multilateral Development Banks, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). While advancing BRICS’s efforts, we must ensure that this organisation does not create an image that we want to replace global institutions rather than reform them,” he said.
During the event, PM Modi stated that countries must work towards global regulations for cybersecurity, along with safe and secure artificial intelligence.
“In this age of technology, new challenges such as cybersecurity, deepfakes, and disinformation have emerged. There are high expectations for BRICS in this context,” he said.