INDIA, CHINA PLAY DOWN DIFFERENCES ON TERRORISM
INDIA URGES BRICS MEMBERS TO NOT DIVIDE TERRORISTS
and China seemed to have played down their differences on cross-border terrorism from Pakistan as the foreign ministers of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group forged consensus on evolving a common strategy to combat the menace here on Monday.
India urged the bloc members to not divide terrorists as “good” or “bad” but adopt a comprehensive strategy to fight international terrorism.
“They are terrorists, they are criminals and we need to have concerted actions both regionally and internationally to curb their activities,” minister of state for external affairs VK Singh said.
Singh was interacting with the media after the first standalone BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Bejing.
He reiterated India’s call for the expedited adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations.
China, the current chair of the Brics bloc, was quick to join India in condemning terror. “China opposes terror in all forms. China is also victim of terror and China is taking part in global initiatives against terror.
With colleagues today including Indian colleagues China shares the same position,” foreign minister, Wang Yi said responding to a question from HT on terror and the differences within the bloc on the issue.
Singh’s comments come days after China said it was opposed to “double standards” in fighting terrorism ahead of the first Brics foreign ministers’ meeting.
“On the counter terrorism we have a clear cut position that terrorism is the common enemy of mankind. We oppose any double standard adopted by the countries in counter terrorism efforts,” Lu Kang, foreign ministry spokesperson said the regular ministry on Friday.