PM Modi heading to BRICS, declaration on terror to factor in Pahalgam

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s trip, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, indicated that the BRICS declaration “language” on terrorism will be “much to our satisfaction”.

“There is no contradiction in the way the members have come out with their understanding, and their sympathy and their solidarity with India on Pahalgam. I think this has been very well captured in the declaration. And all the members are very sensitive to this matter, and there is also a broader understanding in how to deal with this menace of terrorism, and there should be no one … spared in dealing with it. I think that is very well captured, and I don’t have to go into details. I think when you get the declaration out, you will see the language is much to our satisfaction there,” he said, while responding to questions on terrorism in the BRICS declaration.

The Prime Minister’s visit coincides with that of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the US for a meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers on July 1. It is also emblematic of India’s diplomatic balancing between the West and the non-West groupings at a time of strategic hedging in this period of geopolitical flux.

Jaishankar, who inaugurated an exhibition titled ‘The Human Cost of Terrorism’ at the United Nations Headquarters in New York Monday, said, “Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to humanity. It is the antithesis of everything that the UN stands for, human rights norms and how nations should conduct their dealings to each other.”

Targeting Pakistan, he said, “When terrorism is supported by a State against a neighbour, when it is fuelled by the bigotry of extremism, when it drives a whole host of illegal activities, it is important to call it out publicly. And one way of doing so is to display the havoc that it has wreaked on global society.”

“Five weeks ago, the United Nations Security Council issued a strong condemnation of a particularly horrific act of terrorism in Pahalgam. It demanded that its perpetrators be held accountable and brought to justice. We have since seen that happen. What that response underlines is a larger significance of the message of zero tolerance for terrorism. The world must come together on some basic concepts, no impunity to terrorists, no treating them as proxies and no yielding to nuclear blackmail. Any State sponsorship must be exposed and must be countered… Terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. Let that understanding guide our collective thinking and response,” Jaishankar said.

The exhibition in New York will highlight the devastating toll of heinous terrorist acts around the world, and the steps taken by the international community to combat terrorism.

The Prime Minister, who leaves Wednesday on his tour of five nations, will be attending the summit of the BRICS leaders in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro from July 5 to 7, followed by a State Visit on July 8. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the 17th summit.

On the way to Brazil, Modi will stop over in Ghana on July 2 and 3. From there, he will go to Trinidad & Tobago on July 3-4, Argentina on July 4-5 and then head to Brazil. On his way home, he will stop over in Namibia on July 9. He will return to Delhi on July 10.

In Ghana, economic cooperation will be emphasised, while his visit to Namibia aims to renew economic ties. In Trinidad and Tobago, India will focus on diversifying cooperation in pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and digital infrastructure.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Brazil is expected to strengthen trade and explore renewable energy and agricultural research. The visit to Argentina will enhance cooperation in defence, manufacturing and healthcare.

Officials said this will be the Prime Minister’s “first ever bilateral visit to Ghana”. It will also be the first visit to Ghana by an Indian Prime Ministerial after three decades.

Modi will hold talks with Ghana President John Mahama to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy and defence collaboration, and development cooperation partnership. This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union.

His visit to Trinidad & Tobago, at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, will be his first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit by a PM since 1999.

He will hold talks with the President of Trinidad & Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and discuss further strengthening of the bilateral relationship. He is also expected to address a joint session of the country’s Parliament, officials said.

In Argentina, he will hold talks with President Javier Milei, review ongoing cooperation and discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral partnership in key areas including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.

In Brazil, Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Summit and follow it with a State Visit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This will be Modi’s fourth visit to Brazil.

Officials said that during the Summit, Modi will exchange views on key global issues including reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, economic and financial matters. He is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit.

For the State Visit, Modi will travel to Brasilia where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Lula on the broadening of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people linkages.

In Namibia, the final leg of his visit at the invitation of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Modi will hold bilateral talks and also pay homage to the Founding Father and first President of Namibia, Late Dr Sam Nujoma. He is also expected to deliver an address in the Parliament of Namibia.