BRICS Strongly Condemns Pahalgam Attack at Rio Summit – Rio de Janeiro Declaration

At the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6–7, 2025, member countries came together to adopt the Rio Declaration. The group strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, supported India’s call for zero tolerance against terrorism, and discussed urgent global reforms. This summit highlighted BRICS’ growing unity on issues of security, global fairness, and inclusivity.

BRICS Condemns Terror Attack in Pahalgam

In a strong message, the BRICS nations condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, describing it as a crime against humanity. They supported India’s position on having zero tolerance towards terrorism. The Rio Declaration clearly stated that cross-border terrorism, terror financing, and safe havens for terrorists must be opposed globally and without any double standards. BRICS also stressed that each country has the main responsibility to stop terrorism within its borders, following international law.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking at the summit, thanked the leaders for their strong support and called for strict global actions against terrorism. He reminded the world that the Global South, including India, has often suffered due to double standards in the fight against terrorism.

PM Modi Pushes for Global Reforms

During his address, PM Modi raised the issue of unfair global systems, saying that many countries, especially from the Global South, are left out of major decision-making. He said that bodies like the UN Security Council, WTO, and global financial institutions need urgent reforms to reflect today’s world. Modi compared old systems to typewriters in the age of AI, stressing that without changes in voting rights, leadership roles, and governance, these institutions will remain outdated.

Modi pointed out that two-thirds of humanity, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, do not have proper representation in global institutions. He said this was not just about fairness but also about making these bodies more effective and credible.

From 6 to 7 July 2025, leaders of BRICS nations gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 17th BRICS Summit. They came together to discuss how to build a more fair, equal, and sustainable world. The summit was important because it showed a united stand on global reforms, welcomed new members, and launched new efforts in health, climate, and technology.

United for a Fairer World

At the summit, the leaders adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, which calls for changes in how global organisations like the United Nations and World Trade Organization work. They said these systems should be fairer, more democratic, and reflect today’s world.

The leaders also agreed to work more closely in areas such as,

• Politics and security
• Economy and trade
• Culture and people-to-people ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported these ideas and said that the Global South—countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America—must have a bigger say in world decisions. He also stressed the need to update old institutions to match modern challenges.

New Members and Big Initiatives

This year’s summit was special because Indonesia officially became a full BRICS member. Eleven other countries, including Belarus, Nigeria, Cuba, and Vietnam, joined as BRICS partners. This expansion shows BRICS’ growing influence and support worldwide.

The leaders also announced three new plans,

1. BRICS Climate Finance Framework – to help countries fund eco-friendly growth.
2. Global AI Governance Statement – to guide safe and fair use of artificial intelligence.
3. Partnership to Eliminate Socially Determined Diseases – to fight health problems caused by poverty and inequality.

These steps show BRICS’ goal to be more than just a political group—it’s now working on real-world problems that affect people’s lives.

Stronger Global Voice for Developing Nations

The BRICS leaders spoke firmly about the need to reform global bodies like the UN Security Council, World Bank, and IMF. They said these should better reflect the needs of developing countries. They also called for,

• Fairer voting rights
• Equal leadership roles for women and different regions
• Ending unfair sanctions by powerful countries

PM Modi shared India’s support for inclusive multilateralism, where every country, big or small, has a say.

Peace, Safety, and Digital Trust

BRICS also talked about peace and security. Leaders said global conflicts must be solved through talks, not violence. They condemned terrorism, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and harmful trade actions.

In the digital world, BRICS agreed to build rules for cyber safety, prevent online crime, and keep the internet open, safe, and stable.