BRICS National Security Advisers Meet | 18 Sep 2020

Recently, Russia hosted virtual National Security Advisers (NSAs) meet of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) grouping.

Draft Anti-terrorism Plan:
- The group discussed a draft anti-terrorism strategy that is expected to be approved at an upcoming summit.
- The anti-terrorism plan reflects fundamental aspects of the BRICS states, such as respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, adherence to international law and recognition of the United Nation (UN)’s central role in security matters.
Other Discussed Issues:
- Challenges and threats to global, regional and national security.
- Called for biological security cooperation and information and communications technology security.
  - There was also a proposal to continue work on a system for countering security threats in the sphere of information.
- The Russian side criticised the deployment of weapons in space by the USA and the use of outer space for military operations.
  - It also expressed concern over the escalation of tensions with the USA in Iran, Venezuela and Syria.
  - It also proposed the creation of new mechanisms in the field of countering epidemiological threats and to conduct expert consultations on biosafety in the BRICS format.
- The five countries are cooperating within the framework of building a multi-polar system based on justice and equality.
- They have also agreed to work on deepening coordination at key international organisations and forums, especially the United Nations (UN).

BRICS

BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
- The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers’ in 2006.
- South Africa was invited to join BRIC in December 2010, after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS.
The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
During the Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (Brazil) in 2014, the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB - Shanghai, China). They also signed the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement to provide short-term liquidity support to the members.

Terrorism is a big threat to India. If the draft anti-terrorism strategy is adopted by the BRICS members, it will help India to counter the terrorism. It will also expose the terror sponsored countries.
Although the India-China standoff at Ladakh was not discussed at the NSAs meet, BRICS is an important platform where India can engage with China diplomatically.