While the Goa Declaration called upon countries to ensure that their territory is not used for terrorist activities, in many ways it did not deliver the knockout blow to Pakistan which many had come to expect in the light of PM Narendra Modi's relentless focus on cross-border terrorism.
AP
Given China's presence, a specific mention of cross-border terrorism was never going to be possible but India was expecting the declaration to mention India-specific terror groups like Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). However, as MEA secretary Amar Sinha said, BRICS?nations couldn't arrive at a consensus on the issue.
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"Pakistan-based outfits are focused on India. It doesn't concern them (other BRICS nations) really, it affects us," Sinha said.
This was disappointing for India because international terror groups like the Islamic State and Jabhat-al-Nusra found mention in the declaration.
AFP
Asked why cross-border terrorism could not be included in the declaration, Sinha said India focused on concepts and ideas and not on specific terms.
"We were focused on the ideas we wanted to be included. And if you look at what the joint statement says, I think it is pretty clear that we are talking about our neighbourhood,"' he said.
Modi has taken up CCIT with all world leaders he has met in the past two years and early adoption of CCIT has been mentioned in BRICS declarations in the past as well.
AP
Without mentioning the Uri attack, the declaration merely condemned "the recent several attacks, against some Brics countries, including that in India."
Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, as mentioned in the declaration, had also found mention in Brics declarations in the past.
In a departure from previous Brics documents, though, the Goa Declaration did recall the responsibility of countries to not allow their territory to be used by terrorists and called for dismantling of terrorist bases.
"We agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora," said the declaration.
Reuters
The declaration also acknowledged the recent meeting of the Brics High Representatives on National Security and, in this context, welcomed the setting up of the Brics Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism last month.
"We believe it will further promote dialogue and understanding among Brics nations on issues of counterterrorism, as well as coordinate efforts to address the scourge of terrorism," it said.