Modi hails success of Goa BRICS Summit
October 16, 2016, 1:54 pm

Modi praised the summit and called for “enhanced people-to-people exchanges and cooperation within the BRICS” [Xinhua]

“We have adopted the Goa declaration that lays down a comprehensive vision for our cooperation within BRICS and on international issues,” Modi told the press at the conclusion of the Summit.

One of the international issues was how the five-member influential bloc would deal with terrorism, a key call by India which has suffered such violence in recent weeks.

The Declaration did not mince words and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and ruled out any justification for such acts.

“We agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora.”

The Goa Declaration lauded the work of the BRICS Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, which met in New Delhi just last month, and said it would go a long way to combating the specter of such violent acts.

As for the cooperation Modi spoke of, the five countries signed a number of agreements and MoUs aimed at enhancing agricultural research, co-operation between diplomatic academies and regulations on custom cooperation have been reached at the summit.

“Our discussions that spread over three sessions today were detailed substantive and productive,” said Modi.

The next step for the BRICS leaders is to hold an Outreach SUmmit with the leaders of BIMSTEC – the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation comprising of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Modi said that the Summit reiterated its commitment to strengthening consultations and cooperation on peace and security matters – with such friendly nations as those mentioned above.

To that effect, the Indian Prime Minister also reiterated the importance of “enhanced people-to-people exchanges and cooperation within the BRICS”.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies