BRICS countries need to intensify their collective fight against terrorism: Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla yesterday said that BRICS countries need to intensify their collective fight against terrorism which poses the biggest threat to humankind. Virtually addressing the meeting of the 6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Mr Birla said, as people’s representatives, parliamentarians can no longer be silent bystanders and they must unite to fight the challenges of terrorism and violent extremism. 

He emphasized that the funding of all terrorist activities must be stopped immediately and the conditions that are conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism need to be addressed and resolved at the earliest.

Mr Birla stressed that the Parliaments of BRICS countries must use international platforms to highlight their collective resolve to support all treaties and agreements that prevent terrorism.

   

The Lok Sabha Speaker mentioned that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the tragic death of millions of people, severe economic challenges and disruption of everyday life. He added that if ever there was any greater need for international unity and cooperation then it is now.

 

Mr Birla said, despite their differences, BRICS countries share a common vision of a just and fair world, free of poverty, hunger and disease and where every human being is born equal in dignity. He said, BRICS countries have to ensure that the outbreak of the pandemic does not jeopardize the progress towards achievement of the Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development Goals and that they remain committed to work together to achieve the goals of Zero hunger, poverty eradication and an inclusive and just world.

 

Sharing India’s experience and strategies to deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, Mr Birla mentioned that the Government of India is implementing a 260 Billion Dollar economic



stimulus package to address the challenge of empowerment of vulnerable sections and revival of agriculture, agri-business, MSMEs and other industries. He observed that schemes like Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan will go a long way in empowering the poor, farmers, urban working class and middle class.

 

He also referred to the fact that during the early days of the outbreak of the Pandemic, India quickly and successfully made cash transfers to vulnerable sections of the population based on the trinity of a Unique Identification Number (Aadhar), a Bank Account and a mobile connection. Mr Birla said, Government of India also launched a Garib Kalyan Rozar Yojana, a comprehensive employment generation and rural development scheme for the benefit of people reeling under economic distress.

 

The Lok Sabha Speaker also shared that in September this year the Indian Parliament held an in-person Session to enact many important legislations to ensure safety of citizens and corona warriors. He said, these reforms will strengthen the health care system, empower the farm sector and promote financial stability.

 

Addressing the Forum, Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said the BRICS nations must come together in the global fight against terrorism with a comprehensive approach and without any double standards. She also said that any differences between sovereign nations must be resolved peacefully through diplomacy.

 

Chairman of the 6th BRICS Forum and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia, Vyachaslav Volodin and Presiding Officers of the Parliaments of Brazil, China and South Africa also addressed the Forum. The 6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held on the theme “BRICS partnership in the interest of the global stability, general safety and innovative growth: parliamentary dimension.