BRICS Parliamentary Forum Adopts Joint Declaration Condemning Pahalgam Attack and Unilateral Sanctions

NEW DELHI — The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of a joint declaration that strongly condemned the 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack and addressed broader geopolitical issues, including the crisis in West Asia and unilateral economic sanctions.

The joint declaration was announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla following the conclusion of the conference at Parliament. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Thailand's Senate President Mongkol Surasajja, and China's National People's Congress Vice-Chairperson Zheng Jianbang were among the dignitaries present at the event.

Addressing acts of terrorism, the declaration condemned the 22 April 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths and numerous injuries. The forum reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, explicitly mentioning cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing, and safe havens. The document stated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group, calling for zero tolerance and the rejection of double standards in counter-terrorism efforts.

Furthermore, the forum called for the expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework, alongside concerted actions against UN-designated terrorists and entities.

Without naming specific nations, the forum also addressed global economic policies, condemning the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law. The declaration noted that unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions have far-reaching negative implications on human rights, including development, health, and food security in targeted states, and called for their elimination.

On regional conflicts, the forum expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in West Asia and called for maximum restraint. It reaffirmed support for the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, while condemning violations of international humanitarian law, such as attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the restriction of humanitarian access.

"International geopolitical developments, trade policies, and diplomatic frameworks directly influence macroeconomic stability, investor confidence, and cross-border business operations. Regulatory shifts resulting from international agreements or economic sanctions can significantly alter market dynamics for enterprises operating globally. Business leaders must closely monitor these macroeconomic indicators and policy declarations to proactively assess supply chain risks, compliance requirements, and long-term strategic planning in an increasingly interconnected global economy." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes