Condemn in strongest terms: BRICS statement's special mention of Pahalgam attack

The BRICS leaders’ joint declaration issued in New Delhi has condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. It is the second consecutive year that a BRICS leaders’ declaration has condemned the attack.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more injured,” the declaration said.

Terrorists opened fire on visitors at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The Resistance Front, which India links to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack prompted Operation Sindoor, in which India targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The BRICS leaders described acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motive or who carried them out. They reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and safe havens.

The declaration said terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group. It called for those involved in terrorist activities, as well as those who support them, to be brought to justice.

“We urge to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism,” it said. The leaders added that states bore primary responsibility for combating terrorism and that their efforts must comply with international law.

The declaration welcomed the work of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and called for deeper cooperation. It also urged the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, a proposed UN treaty first put forward by India in 1996.

The proposed treaty seeks to establish a common legal framework for tackling international terrorism, including the financing of terrorist acts and support for those who carry them out.

In July 2025, the BRICS leaders’ declaration issued in Rio de Janeiro also condemned the Pahalgam attack and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling cross-border terrorism, financing and safe havens.

A few weeks later, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation also condemned the attack, though their declaration did not name Pakistan in connection with it.