THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) BRICS: The 8th BRICS Summit was held in Goa on 15-16 October 2016. The agenda of the Summit included Global Political Situation and Terrorism, Global Economic Situation, Global Economic Growth, Global Governance, BRICS and the Emerging Market Economies, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and BRICS Cooperation.
The theme of the BRICS Leaders’ Working Luncheon was “BRICS – Promoting People-to-People Exchanges.”
The BRICS Leaders’ Plenary Session was on “BRICS Agenda for Cooperation: The Way Forward.”
The outcomes of the Summit included the Goa Declaration in which strong sentiments were expressed by BRICS Leaders on Terrorism. Other elements of Goa Declaration were (i) BRICS Economic Cooperation, including New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA); (ii) BRICS Cooperation in Customs, Taxation, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Drug, Telecommunication, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Energy, Health, Labour and Employment, Education, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Disaster Management, Environment and Climate Change, Tourism, Railways, Sports, etc.; (iii) Setting up of BRICS Rating Agency; (iv) Global Economic Situation and Growth Prospects; (v) IMF Reforms; (vi) World Trade Organisation (WTO) and need to advance negotiations on the remaining Doha Development Agenda issues; (vii) BRICS cooperation within G20; (viii) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); (ix) Comprehensive Reforms of the United Nations, including the Security Council; Peacekeeping; (x) Situation in the Middle East and North Africa; (xi) Security Challenges in Afghanistan; and (xii) Peaceful Exploration of Space and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Outer Space Activities.
In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding for Establishing of BRICS Agriculture Research Platform, the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies of BRICS countries, Regulations on the Customs Cooperation Committee of BRICS countries and Memorandum of Understanding amongst BRICS Development Banks and New Development Bank (NDB) on General Cooperation were signed during the Summit.
BIMSTEC: Leaders of BIMSTEC Countries were the special invitees at the Goa BRICS Summit under its customary Outreach Initiative. Prior to the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit, the BIMSTEC Leaders met in a Retreat format. The BIMSTEC Leaders'' Retreat was held in an informal setting, without aides or a fixed agenda. Leaders felt that BIMSTEC as a regional grouping had so far not realized its potential since its establishment in 1997. They unanimously agreed to rejuvenate BIMSTEC.
The BIMSTEC Leaders deliberated on Terrorism, Climate Change and Environment, Disaster Management, Connectivity, Agriculture and Food Security, Fisheries, Blue Economy, Energy, Trade, Technology, Tourism, Culture, etc. Subsequent to the BIMSTEC Leaders'' Retreat, an Outcome Document capturing the deliberations of the meeting was released.
BRICS-BIMSTEC: During the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit, Leaders appreciated India’s initiative and the opportunity to interact between the two groupings of emerging economies and developing countries, which together represent half the world’s population. They highlighted the potential for cooperation in areas such as counter terrorism, trade, energy, investment and capital flows, environment, technology, infrastructure and human development as well as funding by the BRICS New Development Bank for BIMSTEC projects.
(b) All members of BRICS grouping benefit from its collective strength by way of consultation and cooperation on economic issues of mutual interests, as well as topical global issues, such as, international terrorism, climate change, food and energy security, reforms of global governance institutions, etc.
The New Development Bank has come into existence with the vision of mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, to supplement the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development. The NDB will help India and other member countries to raise and avail resources for their infrastructure and sustainable development projects. The NDB has approved its first set of loans, which included a loan of US$ 250 million in respect of India for ‘Multitranche Financing Facility to Canara Bank for Renewable Energy Financing Scheme’.
In the Goa Declaration it is stated that BRICS countries represent an influential voice on the global stage through tangible cooperation, which delivers direct benefits to our people.
(c) The organisation of BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit was meant to enhance cooperation amongst BRICS and BIMSTEC nations in potential areas as mentioned in (a) above.
(d) There is a comprehensive message by BRICS Leaders in the Goa Declaration on Counter-Terrorism, including on “the responsibility of all states to prevent terrorist activities from their territories.”
Similarly the Outcome Document of BIMSTEC Summit also dwelt at length on counter-terrorism. The text focused on state sponsored terrorism, condemned States that promote terror and give sanctuary to terrorists, called for their isolation and to be held accountable for their action. It also stated that there should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs.
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