Ajit Doval in Beijing calls for BRICS to play a more prominent role in fighting terror

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Beijing called on the BRICS grouping to "take a leadership role" in combating global terrorism, as he held key meetings with the Chinese leadership and BRICS national security advisers.

Doval on Thursday held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, taking place amid the ongoing border standoff at Doklam near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction.

On Friday, Doval attended a BRICS NSA's meeting - the main purpose of his trip to China - and will also call on Chinese President Xi Jinping.

At the summit, the NSA called for the BRICS grouping to play a more prominent role in fighting terror.

He said BRICS "needs to show leadership in countering terrorism" as well as "take a leadership role" on "strategic issues of regional and global importance" and "in areas where we have consensus".

Doval also thanked China for hosting the meeting of high-level security representatives and said he "is very happy to be here in Beijing".

The NSA said the BRICS grouping had "grown in global significance over the years" and that the BRICS NSA's forum should become a platform for the countries "to discuss security issues that impact global peace and stability."

India is keen for the grouping to issue a strong statement on terror at its September summit in Xiamen on September 3, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The fight against global terror has, however, become somewhat of a sticking point in India-China relations, considering China's close relations with Pakistan.

Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) VK Singh said last month at the BRICS foreign ministers' meet in Beijing that "terrorists cannot be differentiated by calling them good or bad."

While not mentioning Pakistan specifically, the message is also aimed at China which has extended diplomatic support to Pakistan by preventing the sanctioning of Pakistani terrorists at the UN Security Council sanctions committee. For instance, Beijing has stymied attempts by India as well as other countries to list the terrorist Masood Azhar.

"They are terrorists and they are criminals and we need to have a concerted action both in the region and internationally to curb their activities," Gen. VK Singh said then.

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