Countering the threat of terrorism and strengthening security cooperation is high on the agenda at the BRICS Summit.
The Summit is being attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Michel Temer and Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa.
Here are live updates from BRICS Summit in Goa:
* During the bilateral talks, Bhutan PM further said that in the aftermath of Uri attack, Bhutan stands shoulder to shoulder with India: MEA
* Bhutan PM said, "Terrorism in all its form is unacceptable and cross border terrorism is the worst form of terrorism": Vikas Swarup
* PM Modi briefed the Sri Lankan President about the Uri Attack and expressed gratitude for sharing the grief, says Vikas Swarup, MEA
* PM Modi and Sri Lanka President reviewed the development partnership of both nations during bilateral talks held: MEA
* Putting the global economy back on track was another focus point of our deliberations: PM Modi at BRICS Summit
* Agreed that those who nurture, shelter and sponsor forces of violence and terror are as much a threat to us as terrorists themselves: PM
* We have adopted the Goa Declaration that lays down a comprehensive vision for our cooperation: PM
* Combating terrorism, including cross border terrorism, and its supporters will be a BRICS priority: Modi
* Early adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism will be an expression of our resolve to fight this menace, says PM
* Terrorists' funding, their weapon supply, training and political support must be systematically cut off: Narendra Modi
* Selective approach against terrorism will not only be futile but also counter-productive: PM
* Security and counter terrorism cooperation is necessary if we have to safeguard the lives of our citizens, says Modi
* We need to act individually and collectively to defeat terrorism: Modi
* PM concludes statement at at BRICS 2016 Plenary Session
* Fifth, thriving people-to-people exchanges is the lifeblood of BRICS: PM Modi
* Terrorism casts a long shadow on our development and economic prosperity: PM Modi
* Fourth, secure our societies. In the world we inhabit today, security & counter-terrorism cooperation are essential: PM Modi
* Third, focus on key priorities of our economic transformations: PM
* We should set ourselves a target to double intra-BRICS to US Dollars five hundred billion by 2020.
* Second, transform the quantum and quality of trade and investment linkages among BRICS: PM Modi
* We look forward to a BRICS Credit Rating Agency, and speeding up Agriculture Research Centre, Railway Research Network, and Sports Council: PM Modi
* First, The process of institution building in BRICS must continue to remain a focus area, enabling flexibility & freedom: PM
* PM Narendra Modi outlinesfive thoughts for positive direction and strong momentum of intra-BRICS engagement
* In a world of new security challenges and continuing economic uncertainties, BRICS stands as a beacon of peace, potential and promise: PM Modi
* PM Modi begins statement at BRICS 2016 Plenary: The footprint of intra-BRICS engagement has expanded to include large areas of eco activity
* PM concludes with listing Governments' aims: We count on the BRICS Business Council to work with us to achieve our common aim
* NDB's success is concrete result of our common efforts. It has kept clean energy, green and sustainable infra as its priority. We welcome it: PM
* We have transformed India into one of the most open economies in the world today: PM Modi at the BRICS Business Council
* NDB's success is concrete result of our common efforts. It has kept clean energy, green and sustainable infra as its priority. We welcome it: PM
* We count on BRICS Business Council to achieve our common goal of strengthening business trade, building investment linkages: PM Modi
* We have taken a number of steps for ease of doing business in country and the results are visible: PM Modi at BRICS Business Council in Goa
* Business communities are strongest proponents for closer and faster commercial cooperation.Their partnerships create wealth and value in our societies: PM
* Salcete (Goa): PM Narendra Modi speaking at the BRICS Business Council
* PM concludes by mentioning non-conventional security challenges, from threats on cyberspace and piracy on high seas to human trafficking
Read: Terror modules around world linked to mother-ship in India's neighbourhood: PM Modi at BRICS Summit
* India has recently ratified the Paris Climate Agreement. We are committed to a harmonious balance between development and climate change: Modi
* The path laid down by the SDGs or Agenda 2030 is a valuable blueprint of hope. India's own develop't priorities are aligned with them: PM Modi
* PM Modi calls on BRICS country to work together for early adoption of CCIT, step up practical cooperation against terrorism
* A mindset that loudly proclaims that terrorism is justified for political gains. It's a mindset that we strongly condemn-PM Modi
* Terror modules around world are linked to this mother-ship. This country shelters not just terrorists. it nurtures a mindset: PM
* The most serious direct threat to our eco prosperity is terrorism; Tragically, its mother-ship is a country in India's neighborhood: PM Modi
* If new drivers of growth have to take root, there must be unhindered flow of skilled talent, ideas, technology & capital across borders: Modi
* PM speaks of the critical challenges that our world is confronted with, begins w/ the need for a clear roadmap to revive the global economy
* We have built new global institutions to complement the existing architecture.The NDB & Contingency Reserve Arrangement stand out: PM Modi
* PM Modi welcomes leaders at Restricted meeting, says BRICS nations have been a voice for peace, reform, reason & purposeful action
With the Summit taking place within weeks of the Uri terror strike by Pak-based terrorists, India will strongly pitch for intensified efforts to tackle terrorism including action against countries providing safe havens to terrorists and arming them.
Modi has already held bilateral talks with Putin and Xi yesterday where talked about Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
The five BRICS countries represent over 3.6 billion people, or half of the world's population and they have a combined nominal GDP of USD 16.6 trillion.
At the Summit, India is likely to push for unity among the five-nation BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) grouping to remove the logjam at the UN on the
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) for effectively dealing with terror.
Apart from the heads of governments of BRICS attending the Summit, Prime Ministers of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar (State Counsellor) will be here to participate in the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach meet.
The BRICS Summit started with a 'family photo' followed by restricted talks between the leaders and later a meeting of business captains from the member-countries. In the second half, after the speech of the leaders, there will be BRICS and BIMSTEC retreat.
New Delhi will also make all out efforts to revive Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) when Prime Ministers of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar (State Counsellor) attend the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach meet.
This also assumes significance given the collapse of the recent SAARC Summit after four countries apart from India pulled out of the meet to be hosted by Pakistan over the issue of cross-border terrorism, maintaining that environment was not conducive to hold such an event.
The other key issues to be taken up during the meet include cooperation in areas of economy, tourism, connectivity, cultural, education and sports.
Three MoUs including those on cooperation in the area of environment and customs have been agreed upon by the BRICS countries. The pact pertaining to customs will help in breaking the trade barriers between these countries. Security situation in Afghanistan, Syria and Sudan is also expected to be discussed when the BRICS leaders take up important regional and international issues.
(With PTI inputs)
