'BRICS meet recognised state-sponsored terror as biggest challenge to world'

There must be a cost for those who support terrorists and make false distinction between good and bad terrorists, says Sushma

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. File photo.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said the just concluded BRICS summit in Goa recognised “State-sponsored and State-protected terrorism” as the biggest challenge to the world.

“State-sponsored and State-protected terrorism is the biggest challenge: BRICS Summit saw a growing recognition that there cannot be business as usual when it comes to dealing with terrorism,” Ms. Swaraj said.

The Minister stressed that “terrorism is universally recognised as a key threat to peace, a truly global challenge.”

In clear reference to Pakistan, Ms. Swaraj said there was need to extract costs from those who sponsored and supported terrorists and provided them sanctuary and continued to make the “false distinction” between “good and bad terrorists."

“There must be a cost for those who support terrorists and make false distinction between good and bad terrorists.”

On deliberations at the BRICS meet, she said that while economic engagement and political cooperation remained the key factors, there was a sharp realisation that global development and prosperity were very much dependent on continued peace and security.