Pakistan is mothership of terrorism

Salcete (Goa) [India]: In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Islamabad embraces and radiates the darkness of terrorism and terrorism has become its "favourite child".

Adopting the Goa Declaration after the conclusion of the Eighth BRICS Summit here, the group of five emerging economies of the world - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - unanimously hit out at the growing threat of terrorism. A mindset that loudly proclaims that terrorism is justified for political gains.

"We note with deep concern the increasing links between drug trafficking and terrorism, money laundering and organised crime", it said, adding there was agreement on strengthening efforts to enhance security in the use of information and communication technology.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors have been running high since a Sep 18 attack on an army base in Kashmir, near the disputed frontier with Pakistan, killed 19 Indian soldiers in the worst such assault in 14 years.

As New Delhi has launched a diplomatic blitz to isolate Islamabad in the global community, the invitation to Bimstec countries instead of the Saarc countries is being seen as another step in this direction. In what Indian officials pointed to as a reference to Pakistan, the member countries recalled "the responsibility of all States to prevent terrorist actions from their territories". "Our response to terrorism must, therefore, be nothing less than comprehensive".

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said, "We are here at a time when our host India has over the past several months suffered frequent terror attacks". New Delhi is upset that Beijing has blocked India's move at the United Nations to put Pakistan-based leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Maulana Masood Azhar, on a terror list.

"There must be no distinction based on artificial and self-serving grounds", Modi said.

"To further bridge the gap in the global financial architecture, we agreed to fast-track the setting up of the BRICS credit rating agency", Modi said.

"Terror modules around the world are linked to this mother ship", Modi said. Tragically its mothership is a country in India's neighbourhood.

The BRICS countries stressed the UN's central role in coordinating multilateral approaches against terrorism.

"In a world of new security challenges and continuing economic uncertainties, BRICS stands as a beacon of peace, potential and promise", the Prime Minister said.

The heads of BRICS nations and the BIMSTEC countries are in Goa as special guests for the BRICS summit, which will give an opportunity to discuss and end controversies, and improve coordination.

"We must also speed up the work on setting up BRICS Agriculture Research Centre, BRICS Railway Research Network, and BRICS Sports Council".

In his speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the BRICS grouping needed step up its communication and cooperation on major worldwide issues and regional hot spots and act in concert to find political solution to issues and take on such global challenges like natural disasters, climate change, infectious diseases and terrorism. Not in the picture is South Africa President Jacob Zuma. "It is up to them to review their decision".

Russian President Vladimir Putin was of the view that industrial cooperation between the BRICS nations should become more effective.