‘Terrorism has become truly global challenge’

Amid criticism that India failed to obtain consensus on reference to cross-border terrorism in BRICS declaration, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said threat of terror featured strongly in the narrative of the Summit and there was a growing recognition that it has become a truly global challenge.

Two days after the BRICS Summit in Goa where India forcefully highlighted terror emanating from Pakistan, she said there was no bigger global challenge than “state- sponsored” and “state-protected terrorism, asserting those supporting terror networks must be made to pay the cost.

In clear reference to Pakistan, Swaraj said there is a need to extract costs from those who sponsor and support terrorists and provide them sanctuary and continue to make the “false distinction” between “good and bad terrorists”. Swaraj was delivering an address at the BRICS media forum. In an obvious reference to Pakistan blocking several pacts on transport and connectivity in SAARC, Swaraj referred to growing cooperation on these issues among BIMSTEC nations, noting “There cannot be a greater contrast with those who reject even trade and connectivity for political reasons.” 

On deliberations at the BRICS, Swaraj said while the economic engagement and political cooperation remained key factors, there was a sharp realisation that global development and prosperity was very much dependent on continued peace and security.

“Terrorism was universally recognised as a key threat to stability, progress and development. Consequently, it featured strongly in the conference narrative and its eventual outcome. “Indeed, what we saw was not just an understanding of the dangers posed by terrorism to the economic aspirations of the world but a growing recognition that this has now become a truly global challenge that the international community can only ignore at its peril,” she said.