BRICS must end terrorism's 'support systems in South Asia', says Sushma Swaraj

Sushma Swaraj asked the BRICS ministers to "work for early conclusion of negotiations and adoption of the CCIT in the United Nations".

"Complete elimination of poverty is the foremost objective of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said as the chair of the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Foreign Ministers' Meeting here on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly Session.

Terror groups draw sustenance from support systems in South Asia, she said.

"There is need for collective efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, their financing and movement", she added.

"The foreign ministers reiterated their opposition to any "double standards" vis-à-vis terrorists and any attempt to interfere in other countries' internal affairs or to undermine the leading roles of competent departments of the countries in the name of counter-terrorism".

Calling all to step up combined efforts for reforms in International Monetary Fund (IMF) and in the United Nations Security Council to abate the efforts of such problematic nations as North Korea, Swaraj went on to condemn those nations that use religion as justification for terrorism and for sheltering terrorists. At the meeting, where her Pak counterpart was also present, Swaraj said discussions should continue on a business security architecture for the organisation.

"We also mentioned that Indian and France are working together on global Solar Alliance", he said.

Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion on an alliance between International Solar Alliance and New Development Bank, Sushma said she hopes that the BRICS nations can work together to give practical shape to the ambitious agenda of the PM in coming months. It was the first SCO meeting attended by Swaraj after India was admitted as a member of the grouping in June.