At BRICS Summit, PM Modi Calls Out Western Double Standards on Terrorism

Rio de Janeiro, July 7: Without naming any country or leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday issued a pointed rebuke of what he described as the West’s selective approach to terrorism, calling for a principled, rather than opportunistic, global stance on the issue.

Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit during a high-level session on Peace, Security, and Reform of Global Governance, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that condemning terrorism must be rooted in principle, not shaped by geopolitical convenience.

“Condemning terrorism should be our principle, not just a convenience. If we first consider in which country the attack took place, or who the target was, then it is a betrayal of humanity,” Modi said.

Though he refrained from naming individuals, the remarks were widely interpreted as an indirect reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent closed-door meeting with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The meeting took place shortly after heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan. President Trump later claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between the two countries, a move that raised concerns in New Delhi.

Modi went on to stress the importance of a unified and uncompromising global response to terrorism.

“There should be no hesitation in imposing sanctions against terrorists. Victims and perpetrators of terrorism cannot be judged by the same standards. Supporting or tolerating terrorism for political or personal gain should never be acceptable,” he asserted.

Calling for consistency between rhetoric and action, Modi added:

“If we fail to match our words with deeds on this issue, the world will inevitably question our seriousness in the fight against terrorism.”

Later, in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and international cooperation.

“At the Session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance’ during the BRICS Summit, reiterated India’s commitment to the values of peace and brotherhood. After all, world peace and security are the foundations of our shared interests and future,” he wrote.

BRICS Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Adopts ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy

In a show of solidarity, BRICS leaders unanimously condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, calling for a global consensus on rejecting double standards in counter-terrorism efforts. The grouping—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members such as Iran and Egypt—adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, outlining shared positions on terrorism, regional conflicts, and global economic reforms.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22,” the joint statement read. “We urge zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering the threat.”

The declaration also emphasized the need for a reformed multilateral system, reflecting the realities of the 21st century and enabling the Global South to play a more prominent role in international governance.