BRICS Summit in Kazan highlights Global unity against terrorism and ongoing conflicts

The BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024, is a significant milestone for the alliance as it expands to ten member nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. This summit comes at a time when BRICS nations represent approximately 45% of the global population and nearly 28% of the world’s economy, highlighting the bloc's growing influence as a counterweight to Western dominance in international affairs.

During the opening plenary session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation in combating terrorism and its financing. While refraining from naming specific countries, he criticized the prevalence of double standards in international responses to terrorism, urging member nations to adopt a unified approach. Modi stated, “We have to work together on the pending issue of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN,” underlining the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing this persistent global threat.

This summit also sets the stage for a historic bilateral meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The significance of this meeting is amplified by recent developments, including an announcement that India and China have agreed to disengage and begin patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This breakthrough effectively ends a four-year military standoff, potentially improving relations between the two countries.

On the first day of the summit, Modi held crucial bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. In his conversation with Putin, Modi congratulated him on the successful presidency of BRICS and invited Russia to participate in the 23rd Annual Summit in India next year. Modi highlighted the cooperative spirit within BRICS, which has evolved into an essential platform for dialogue on various global development issues, further reinforced by the recent addition of new member nations.

The summit witnessed the adoption of the Kazan Declaration, which emphasizes BRICS's commitment to addressing key global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, and geopolitical stability. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed the importance of prioritizing the situation in Gaza and Lebanon during his address. He called for BRICS nations to advocate for peace, highlighting the humanitarian implications of ongoing conflicts in these regions.

Iran’s President Pezeshkian echoed these sentiments, urging member countries to take action against the escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. He emphasized that BRICS should serve as a platform for promoting multilateralism and addressing urgent global crises.

As discussions progress, BRICS leaders are also exploring enhanced economic cooperation, focusing on local currency trade and cross-border payments. Modi highlighted India's successful UPI system as an example of innovation that can be beneficial to other nations. Furthermore, he welcomed initiatives like the Carbon Open Market Partnership, encouraging BRICS countries to join climate initiatives led by India.