(a) whether India has urged for support from Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil with a view to create a new security forum to counter terrorism and radicalisation;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the forum could be realised through an understanding among the National Security Advisors of the member countries of the grouping; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) India, Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa, as part of BRICS grouping, deliberate on various issues of common interest including countering terrorism and radicalization. Among other BRICS Meetings, the BRICS High Representatives responsible for security (NSAs) also meet from time to time to discuss security related issues such as Counter Terrorism, Cyber Security and Energy Security.
(c) & (d) At the sixth BRICS NSAs’ meeting, held in New Delhi on 15 September 2016, NSAs encouraged cooperation and exchanging of best practices, expertise, information and knowledge on Counter Terrorism issues. It was agreed to expand BRICS Counter Terrorism cooperation further to include measures for denying terrorists access to finance and terror-hardware such as equipment, arms and ammunition. NSAs also underscored the need for a global legal regime to deal with the global menace of terrorism. The High Representatives concurred on a BRICS Forum to progressively consolidate cooperation and exchanges among respective agencies in security related fields.
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