Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack while addressing world leaders at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Speaking during a high-level session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance,’ Modi referred to the recent terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir as not just an attack on India but on the whole of humanity.
“Terrorism is among the most serious challenges facing humanity. Recently, India faced an inhuman and cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This was an attack on all of humanity,” he stated. The attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, claimed 26 lives and injured many more.
Modi highlighted the need for a globally unified stance against terrorism and slammed the hypocrisy of nations that support or turn a blind eye to such activities for political or strategic gain. “There is no room for double standards. If any country provides direct or indirect support to terrorism, it must pay the price,” he said. He urged nations to impose strict sanctions against terrorists and those who aid them.
The Prime Minister emphasized India’s long-standing commitment to peace, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha. He stated, “No matter how difficult the circumstances, peace remains the best path for the welfare of humanity.” Modi also reiterated that terrorism cannot be associated with any religion, nationality, or ethnic identity, calling for fair and consistent global efforts in combating extremism.
PM Modi used the platform to reiterate the need for comprehensive reforms in global governance systems. He criticized the underrepresentation of the Global South and called for equal participation in shaping 21st-century policies. “The Global South has been a victim of double standards and must have a larger say in international institutions,” he stressed.
The BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa issued a joint declaration condemning the Pahalgam attack “in the strongest terms.” They labeled all acts of terrorism as “criminal and unjustifiable,” and demanded zero tolerance for terrorism. The statement emphasized holding perpetrators accountable and called for no delays in adopting the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations.
The bloc also reaffirmed its commitment to rejecting double standards and welcomed the ongoing efforts of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and its five subgroups. The joint declaration concluded with a call for deeper cooperation and concerted international action against UN-designated terrorists and terror outfits. The BRICS Summit message was clear: there must be a unified, principle-based, and action-oriented global effort to eradicate terrorism in all its forms without exception or excuses.
