ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said the BRICS declaration, which named terrorist groups in the South Asia region, cannot be termed as a failure of the country’s foreign policy.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Asif said the declaration was not against Pakistan, however, he added that a new foreign policy will have to be formed with regards to the regional situation.
Asif further said the policy should only be meant to safeguard the interests of the nation and its dignity.
Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa condemned “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” at the 9th BRICS Summit in China on Monday. The member states released the Xiamen declaration expressing concern over the security situation in the region.
“We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals….we, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir,” said the declaration.
“We deplore all terrorist attacks worldwide, including attacks in BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We reaffirm that those responsible for committing, organizing, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable,” it added further.
Asif also denied reports of China backing India’s stance at the BRICS Summit on Monday, reiterating that China was a trustworthy friend of Pakistan.
