BRICS Forum condemns Pahalgam attack, expresses concern on West Asia crisis

The BRICS Parliamentary Forum on Tuesday adopted a joint declaration strongly condemning the 2025 Pahalgam attack and all acts of terrorism. It also condemned imposition of unilateral economic and secondary sanctions. The joint declaration was announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the conference of the Forum concluded here.

The Forum said terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law.

“We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. We emphasise the primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism and that global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must fully comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the UN,” it read.

The Forum said it looks forward to further deepening counter-terrorism cooperation and calls for an expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework and concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities.

Without naming any country, the Forum also condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law. It reiterated that such measures in the form of unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, have far reaching negative implications on human rights, including the right to development, health and food security of the general population of targeted states.

“We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter,” the declaration added. The Forum reaffirmed its unwavering support for the peaceful resolution of the Israeli Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution, with the two States living side by side, in peace and security, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

It asserted the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, and an independent, sovereign State. The Forum expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and, recalling the respective national positions, called for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.

It strongly condemned all violations of international humanitarian law, including deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including in BRICS member states, as well as the denial or obstruction of humanitarian access and the targeting of humanitarian personnel.

Iran and United Arab Emirates, which are directly involved with the West Asia conflict, are members of the BRICS.