BRICS Unites Behind India: Rio Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Attack, Calls for Zero Tolerance on Terrorism 
Rio de Janeiro/New Delhi – In a significant diplomatic victory for India, the leaders of BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — jointly condemned the Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack and called for zero tolerance towards terrorism, reaffirming their commitment to dismantling terror networks and prosecuting UN-designated terrorists.
The statement came on the opening day of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, with the adoption of the ‘Rio de Janeiro Declaration’, seen as a robust endorsement of India's stance against cross-border terrorism.
The declaration included a strong rebuke of the April 22 massacre in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam district, where 26 innocent tourists were killed, including Indian and Nepalese nationals, in an attack carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF) — a front for UN-proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“We condemn in the strongest terms...”
Paragraph 34 of the Rio Declaration states:
"We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens."
The attack, which shocked the international community, involved victims being segregated by religion before being targeted. This chilling detail prompted global outrage and increased pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure.
A Resounding Call for Zero Tolerance
BRICS leaders emphasized the need to end double standards in counter-terror efforts and insisted that terrorism must not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.
“We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion... all those involved must be held accountable,” the declaration added, echoing India's long-standing position at global forums.
The statement also urged member states to uphold international obligations, including the UN Charter, and adhere to international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law in anti-terror operations.
Investigations Confirm Pakistan Link
India’s probe into the attack has confirmed terrorist communication nodes linked to Pakistan, strengthening New Delhi's charge that Islamabad continues to harbour, finance and support terror groups like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
The TRF had claimed responsibility for the attack. The group is widely known as a proxy of LeT, a UN-designated terrorist organisation believed to operate with direct or indirect backing of Pakistan’s deep state.
India’s Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Response
Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, a large-scale counterterrorism operation targeting terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).
The Rio declaration is being seen as international validation of Operation Sindoor, with BRICS not only acknowledging the incident but also calling for "concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities."
India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had recently reiterated this demand at the SCO Security Council Secretaries’ meeting in Beijing, urging nations to reject double standards and take firm steps against terror financing and safe havens.
NSA Doval’s Tough Message at SCO
During his speech in Beijing, Doval stated:
“India remains deeply concerned about continued threats from groups like LeT, JeM, Al-Qaeda, ISIS and their affiliates. We must shun double standards and take decisive actions against UN-designated terrorists and their proxies.”
India also demanded that SCO member states hold sponsors and financiers of terrorism accountable, reflecting its growing assertiveness on the global stage.
BRICS Counter-Terrorism Cooperation to Deepen
The BRICS leaders also appreciated the efforts of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) and reaffirmed their commitment to the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Action Plan.
“We look forward to further deepening counter-terrorism cooperation... and call for finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the UN framework,” said the declaration.
This includes collective actions to track terror funding, curb propaganda, dismantle recruitment mechanisms, and share intelligence across borders.
Global Momentum Grows Behind India’s Anti-Terror Diplomacy
India's success in getting BRICS to issue such a categorically strong anti-terror statement, naming the April 22 Pahalgam attack and calling for zero tolerance, marks a major diplomatic win for the Modi government ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
It also puts renewed pressure on Pakistan, already facing global isolation for failing to act against LeT and JeM, which continue to target civilians in India and Afghanistan.
The development is expected to resonate strongly at upcoming UN and G20 platforms, where India is likely to further push for comprehensive global action on terrorism — including the long-stalled Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
Key Highlights from the BRICS Rio Declaration
- Condemns the Pahalgam terror attack in strongest terms.
- Supports India’s call for zero tolerance and no double standards.
- Reaffirms opposition to cross-border terrorism, terror financing and safe havens.
- Welcomes progress in BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group.
- Backs expeditious adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
- Urges full compliance with international law and UN Charter in global counter-terror efforts.
Final Word
With the BRICS Rio Declaration, India’s firm line on terrorism has found global support from key powers including Russia and China. The world’s emerging economies have sent a clear message: terrorism, wherever it originates, has no justification or sanctuary.
As the Modi government continues to pursue aggressive counter-terror operations and diplomatic outreach, India appears determined to ensure that Pakistan's state-sponsored terror machinery is held accountable — not just regionally, but globally.