ISIS 'a direct threat to international community': BRICS

New York: The BRICS Foreign Ministers today noted that terrorist activities of extremist organisations like the ISIS, which control large part of territories of the republic of Iraq and Arab republic, pose a direct threat not only to the countries of the middle east but to the international community.

Briefing the media here about the meeting between the BRICS Foreign Ministers, Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that they touched upon the various conflicts which are going on in the world right now.

"And they believe that these conflicts are providing fertile ground for terrorist activities and are causing migration waves. In particular they noted terrorist activities of extremist organisations like ISIS which control large part of territories of the republic of Iraq and Arab republic, and pose a direct threat not only to the countries of the middle east but to the whole international community," he added.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestation and expressed their conviction that a comprehensive approach was necessary to ensure an effective fight against terrorism.

"In this context, India has already put forward a comprehensive approach under the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which we proposed in 1996 and which has been pending since 2000," said Swarup.

"They also urged concerted efforts to counter terrorism on a firm international legal basis, under the United Nation auspices," he added.

Swarup said the meeting was very significant for India as the country is going to be the next chair of BRICS commencing February 2016.

"Basically, the meeting was to see how far things have progressed since the last summit meeting in Ufa in Russia. For us it is very significant as India is going to be the next chair of BRICS commencing February 2016. So, it is an important meeting from that point for the EAM to hear the views of other Foreign Ministers on how they see the BRICS evolving," said Swarup.

"What are the emerging needs what more needs to be done. Already BRICS has a very substantial agenda as you know the new development bank of the BRICS has been created and KV Kamath has taken over as the first chairman of the bank. And we expect that the first project to be launched by the time he assumes the chairmanship of BRICS next year," he added.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers discussed a number of key international, regional and global issues.

"They reiterated their intention to contribute to safeguarding a fair and equitable international order based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as stated in the Ufa Summit declaration. They recalled 2005 World Summit Outcome Document," said Swarup.

"They reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative and efficient," he added.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers also discussed the current state of global economy and finances.

"By recognising the contribution the BRICS have been making to the global economy, they also reiterated the urgency of unblocking the IMF reform as a measure to reform global economic governance, consistent with the interest and needs of the developing countries," said Swarup.

"They also called for greater coordination among BRICS countries to implement the strategy for BRICS economic partnership and the full functioning of the new development bank," he added

The Ministers expressed their full support for a successful outcome at the COP 21, the upcoming meeting of parties on climate change which is going to happen in Paris in December.

"They called for a comprehensive, balanced and equitable agreement with legal force for the post 2020 period that is in conformity with the principles and provisions of UNFCCC to be attained in an open, transparent and inclusive negotiating process," said Swarup.