Bharat’s Zero-Tolerance Doctrine: A New Global Standard on Terrorism…

By Colonel Dev Anand Lohamaror
National President, Bhootpurva Sainik Vikas Samiti & Shaheed Samman Samiti
From the strongest condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack to collective action against terror financing, cross-border terrorism and safe havens, the New Delhi BRICS Declaration marks a significant diplomatic moment for Bharat’s long-standing zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. More importantly, it signals an emerging international consensus that terrorism must be confronted without exceptions or double standards.
The 18th BRICS Summit’s most significant achievement for Bharat emerged on terrorism. Building on the precedent set at the 2025 Rio de Janeiro Summit, the Declaration condemned the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives. BRICS nations reiterated their commitment to “zero tolerance” towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, reaffirming that terrorism cannot be justified in the name of religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnicity. This represents important multilateral recognition of Bharat’s consistent position.

The Declaration goes beyond condemning Pahalgam. It addresses terror financing, cross-border movement of terrorists, safe havens and accountability of terrorists and those who support them. It also calls for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a proposal Bharat has championed at the United Nations since 1996, and reinforces the role of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG). Coordinated action against UN-designated terrorists and terrorist organisations further strengthens this framework.
In broader strategic terms, the Declaration points towards a new international principle: no state should be able to pursue geopolitical objectives through armed proxies while escaping responsibility for the consequences. BRICS has not named specific countries in this context, but its message extends to every power that directly or indirectly supports armed non-state actors.
There are distinct examples across regions: Iran (Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis), Russia (Wagner Group/Africa Corps), Türkiye (Syrian National Army), the United Arab Emirates (Southern Transitional Council and the Rapid Support Forces), Rwanda (M23), Qatar (various regional Islamist factions), the United States (Syrian Democratic Forces and historically the Contras), China (United Wa State Army and armed groups along the Myanmar border), and Pakistan (Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish -e- Mohammed). The legal status, political context and evidence surrounding these relationships differ substantially, and these organisations cannot all be placed in the same category. Yet the principle should be universal: those who fund, arm, train, facilitate or provide sanctuary to violent groups must not remain beyond scrutiny and accountability.
This changes the focus of counter-terrorism from merely eliminating attackers after an incident to dismantling the wider financial, military and logistical systems that sustain terrorism. Bharat has consistently maintained that terrorism cannot be separated from the networks that enable it. The BRICS Declaration gives greater multilateral weight to this position.
The Declaration does not explicitly name Pakistan, nor does it formally announce its isolation. However, the strong condemnation of Pahalgam and its emphasis on cross-border terrorism, terror financing and safe havens directly reflect Bharat’s principal security concerns. Its collective acceptance across the expanded BRICS grouping strengthens Bharat’s longstanding principle: those who commit terrorism and those who support, finance, facilitate or shelter it must face accountability.
Equally significant is BRICS’ rejection of double standards. Differentiating between “good” and “bad” proxies weakens the global counter-terrorism framework. Bharat’s position is therefore broader than national self-defence: there must be one consistent international standard against terrorism, regardless of the country, ideology or geopolitical interest involved. In this sense, Bharat’s zero-tolerance doctrine is moving from a national security posture towards an emerging international norm.
Bharat also secured important gains beyond terrorism. BRICS supported comprehensive UN reforms, including the Security Council, and reiterated support for the aspirations of Bharat and Brazil to play a greater role in the UN system. It reaffirmed the WTO at the centre of global trade, opposed unilateral tariffs and protectionism, warned against weaponising global supply chains, encouraged local-currency trade and payments, and supported implementation of the IMF’s 16th General Review of Quotas for fairer representation of emerging economies. Calls for dialogue and restraint in West Asia further reflected New Delhi’s strategic autonomy and its pursuit of a multipolar, rules-based and equitable world order without subordination to any single bloc.
The New Delhi BRICS Summit therefore goes beyond condemning one terrorist attack. It places Bharat’s zero-tolerance doctrine within the broader Global South consensus and establishes a clear political direction: no shelter behind proxies, no safe havens and no double standards. It does not constitute a formal resolution against any single country, nor does it grant Bharat a permanent UN Security Council seat. But wherever terrorism originates, and whatever network finances, equips, trains or shelters it, accountability must follow. That is the deeper significance of the New Delhi Declaration—and a powerful international validation of Bharat’s zero-tolerance doctrine on terrorism.