Af soil should not be a terror sanctuary: Brics

NEW DELHI: The Brics grouping on Thursday asserted Afghanistan’s territory shouldn’t become a sanctuary for terror groups to mount attacks on other nations, and called for an inclusive intra-afghan dialogue to ensure stability and peace in the war-torn country following the Taliban takeover.

The Delhi Declaration, issued after a virtual summit of Brazilrussia-india-china-south Africa (Brics) leaders, expressed concern at developments in Afghanistan and made a call for “refraining from violence and settling the situation by peaceful means”. The grouping highlighted the importance of fighting terror and upholding human rights, including those of women and minorities.

The strongly worded joint statement came two days after the Taliban unveiled an interim setup in Kabul led by Mohammad Hasan Akhund and dominated by 17 leaders sanctioned by the UN Security Council. Despite recent remarks by Taliban leaders that they would form an inclusive government, the new regime comprised mainly members of the group’s old guard and top military commanders

such as Sirajuddin Haqqani.

The Delhi Declaration, issued at the conclusion of the summit, said: “We underscore the priority of fighting terrorism, including preventing attempts by tergroups

rorist organisations to use Afghan territory as terrorist sanctuary and to carry out attacks against other countries, as well as drug trade within Afghanistan.”