New Delhi (TIP): Asserting that terrorism is the “biggest problem” facing the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Nov 17,  said there is a need to ensure that countries supporting and assisting terrorists are held guilty, in an oblique reference to Pakistan. Addressing a summit of the Brazil-Russia–India–China-South Africa (BRICS) grouping via videoconferencing, Modi also said there was a need to tackle the problem of terrorism in an organised manner. The 12th BRICS summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Terrorism is the biggest problem the world is facing. We have to ensure that the countries that support and assist the terrorists are also held guilty,” Modi said. Although Modi did not name any country, his reference is seen as directed at Pakistan.
BRICS is known as an influential bloc that represents over 3.6 billion people, or half of the world’s population. The BRICS countries have a combined GDP of $16.6 trillion.
In his address, Modi also underlined the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council as well as multilateral bodies like the World Trade Organisation and the International Monetary Fund.
Talking about the COVID-19 crisis, Modi said India’s vaccine production and delivery capabilities will work in the interest of humanity. The Prime Minister also highlighted reform initiatives undertaken by his government under the ‘self-reliant India’ campaign. “We have started a comprehensive reform process under the ‘Self-reliant India’ campaign. The campaign is based on the belief that a self-reliant and resilient India post-COVID can be a force multiplier for the global economy and make a strong contribution to the global value chains,” he said.